I’m burdened for marriages — including mine…and yours — because too many are falling apart at the seams. It’s like we get amnesia, forgetting the point of this whole marriage thing. I get amnesia!

Bottom line:

Marriage isn’t first and foremost about us.
Ultimately marriage is about God.

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It’s about glorifying Him. It’s about those of us who name Jesus “Lord,” reflecting Him in this broken world by the way we love that one we committed to years ago. It’s about the decision to love regardless of what the other does or doesn’t do, just like Jesus loves us. (Romans 8:38-39)

That doesn’t mean it’s an easy choice. It’s hard — near impossible in times of rejection. But we get it twisted. At times we may feel hurt or frustrated or disappointed and something in us justifies hardness of heart. But that isn’t Jesus-love.

Imagine the testimony to a world that disposes everything, when we as God’s children turn towards our spouse whether they run away from us or cling tight to our hand. Either way, deciding to love.

You have heard that it was said, ’You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. ’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 5:43-45

So the challenge is simple (in theory). Join me in asking God how we can tangibly love our spouse today. Regardless of whether they deserve it, regardless of whether they live under the same roof, regardless of…anything, let’s choose love.

The enemy will keep on deceiving. It’s what he does best. Lying. Deceiving. Destroying. But then there’s God, who loves with an enduring love. I want to live my life — honor my marriage — as proof of Him.

(Speaking of…I love this song by For King & Country!)

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For my Sermon on the Mount friends, this is the last week before our next break (which I seem to always need). Keep on, friends.

{Week 24}
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21

I’m also hanging out at Do Not Depart today writing on enduring love.

And I’m linking up with TheBetterMom.com and Graceful.

 
Fill me, Lord…

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