I never had a wedding. My husband and I got married on a Monday in our casual clothes while standing in the living room of a total stranger. It was just the two of us. Sometimes when I look back on that day, I wonder if we really understood the largeness of the decision we had just so casually made.
We had dated for nine months. For me there was never a doubt that this was
my husband. I can recall having a pretty serious conversation with him a few
days before the big day about how we both would "only be married once." It was
forever. There was no other option. I cooked him dinner the night before, which
was also his birthday, and joked that it was his last meal as a "free man." I
saw a heaviness in his gaze. He knew our lives were about to change, but I'm not
so sure I did.
I have spent the greater part of my life making spur of the moment choices
and not thinking about the future consequences. At the time of our marriage
vows, neither of us had a personal relationship with God. But when I look at the
events that followed our wedding day, and the years of struggles we have endured
together, I see that God was pursuing us even then.
He stitched us together. And even though the world and its people have made
some attempts to break us apart, our bond is stronger only because of God's
place at the heart and center of our marriage.
In our world, there is so much emphasis on the option of divorce. It's like
a warranty or guarantee that if your marriage isn't going the way you think it
should, or if you just don't "feel" the same, you can just leave and start over
fresh with someone new. And if the new spouse doesn't meet your expectations,
you can just go ahead and opt out of that marriage too!
This is not marriage the way that God intended.
Now please don't misunderstand me, sometimes divorce is warranted and
valid. Those times I think are rare, and not nearly as common as divorce has
actually become. I think couples fall apart, fall away from each other, fall
away from God dwelling in their union. When this happens, it's easy to think
that you fell out of love. It's easy to think that somebody else can fill that
hole. It's easy to think that life could be better elsewhere.
The hard part is actually staying and working it out. Marriage is not easy.
No one said it would be. But it is worth the work. The enemy will use every
weapon he can find to convince you otherwise. STAND FIRM and know your
authority. Recognize the battle and seek God's Word to guide your way.
The Lord will always be pulling for your marriage, just be sure to pull
with Him.
Isaiah 54:17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will
refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of
the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the
LORD.
Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should
go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Isaiah 58:11 The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your
needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a
well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
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