Till Death Do Us Part

 









by Rachel Evans

Verse for Thought:
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.  Ecclesiastes 4:12

My husband and I were married in 2008.  On the day we registered for our marriage license, the clerk seemed surprised that both of us listed our parents as still married.  We were very blessed to have good godly examples of marriage. However, we still had a lot to learn on our own.

Many couples assume that just the act of getting married will make life better.  They marry on the premise that their partner will “complete them” and unrealistically expect that partner to take up the slack for all imperfections they possess. Brides and grooms all across America spend as much as a year or more planning a wedding that usually last less than an hour.   Unfortunately, not many of them put in that kind of effort into building a lasting relationship with one another.  After the music fades, the presents are opened, and the guest leave, reality sets in for most couples.  The fairy tale ends with the daily stresses of life.   Sadly, many marriages fail because the couples do not realize that learning to handle those everyday trials is what will make their relationship stronger.  Instead of working on the relationship, they either give up and end the marriage or go through the motions for years, pretending that everything is okay.  These are the very ones who committed so much time, energy and money in order to create the perfect wedding.

This concept also describes how some Christians view their relationship with Christ.  They feel that when they make a commitment to Christ they are signing up for a fairy tale life.  He will give them new jobs, cars, houses, and anything else that they think they deserve.  When life throws them a curve ball, they think God has failed them and that the fairy tale is not going to come true.  When trials and tribulations come, remember God gives us those experiences to test our faith.  The next time you face a tough time in your marriage or in your life, ask yourself if you are really committed to Christ or are you using him as fire insurance.

Let’s Pray:  
Lord, in this season of wedding preparation, I pray that couples and families prepare not just for the wedding but also for their future lives together.  I pray that they will always allow you to be the third member of their relationship.  In Jesus’s name, Amen

Take the Next Step:
Read Psalm 34:19-22.  Ask God to show you how to apply this to your marriage and your everyday life.