An Amazing Marriage — midweek message
by Abiding Love
“Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not envy. It does not brag. It is not arrogant. 5 It does not behave indecently. It is not selfish. It is not irritable. It does not keep a record of wrongs. 6 It does not rejoice over unrighteousness but rejoices with the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Butterflies and goosebumps. Spritzing cologne before dates and deciding when to dare and say the three big words “I love you”. Those are wonderful memories for many husbands and wives.
But so are…
… the tearful conversations as two people learn how to live together and talk together in way that honors and respects both.
… the giving up of old future dreams and joining in a common vision of the future with your spouse.
… the speaking of the words, “I’m sorry” and the comforting assurance of forgiveness.
… the praying together in the midst of crisis.
… the patient overlooking by your spouse of your quirks and imperfections
… the joyful celebrating of one another’s accomplishments
… the sorrowing together in one another’s disappointments
… the holding of the tongue and the careful choice of words when there is conflict
… the standing before the cross together and living together as two sinners saved in God’s grace
… the vigilance of the spouse who won’t leave the side of the hospital bed
Husband and wife marry because they have fallen in love with each other. But marriage is a covenant commitment to a deeper, self-less, unconditional love no matter what.
And when two hearts love in that way — the same way God has loved us in Jesus Christ — those two have an opportunity to sit back on their rocking chairs after 40, 50, 60 years of marriage and say, “This marriage has been an amazing gift of God.”
May God bless your Valentine’s Day with an appreciation for his gift of marriage, and if you are married, for the spouse entrusted to your loving care.
This is the second in an 8-week series on “Marriage and Relationships: By God’s Design”
Peace in Jesus,
Pastor John Gensmer
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