5-7-2014

Good Morning All,

         1 Corinthians 13:8a; “Love never ends”

      “And they all lived happily ever after, the end.”  Boy that line always sends shivers down my spine.  It is one of the first things we talk about in the pre-marital counseling sessions I do.  I look into the eyes of these young ones, all starry eyed about getting married, and I almost feel guilty when I crush this statement, almost.  This statement, or at least the belief in this statement, causes troubles in all relationships, especially marriages.

     The problem with this line is that it leaves out the truth.  Think of a couple of the classics, like “Snow White” or “Cinderella”.  In both of these stories, the young ladies are in tough positions; they are struggling to get along.  They struggle against difficult situations and difficult odds.  Then along comes the man of their dreams, sweeps them off their feet, marries them and all of their problems and struggles are over.  It works for Disney but rarely in the real world.  In the real world, this is where the work begins.

    Relationships are work, it is that simple.  There are times when “happily ever after” applies but there are times when it doesn’t; then what?  The problem is that relationships don’t solve our problems or heal our wounds or fulfill our dreams because they are not intended to.  Sometimes, the opposite occurs.  When two flawed sinners are locked into a relationship together, sometimes it can get rough and then it takes work.

    True relationships, especially marriages, are work because they involve choices.  You have to choose intimacy over being selfish, you have to choose peace over “being right”, you have to choose respect over dominance and you have to choose love over control.  There are times of “happily ever after” but there are times when the struggle of two sinners struggling show up as well.

    True relationships do not make us happy; they are the result of true love; a love that never ends.  A love that we receive from God in Jesus.  A love that caused him to spread his arms for you and to hang on a cross for you.  True love is not the end of the relationship; it is only the beginning.  God has plans for our love but they generate from him and work only when our love conforms to his will.  The relationships are God’s gift to us, especially marriage.  Relationships bring us companionship, friendship and love but we receive these from God as part of the gift.  We need to use them and, ultimately, give them to those around us.

Father of all love, guide us by your Spirit.  Lead us to love as you have loved us.  Show us that to love is to give and not to take.  Lead us to battle for the relationships that you give to us.  Help us to overcome the demons which seek to destroy us.  Be with those who are especially struggling at this time.  Protect them by your mighty arm.  Defend them from the devil that they may live in the love and the marriages as you have given to them.  In the precious name of Jesus, our risen Savior, we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret