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
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