No Marriage Is Perfect

I ran across a paragraph recently that perfectly summarizes the secret to an enduring marriage. It was titled “No Marriage Is Perfect” and here is what it said: “The couples celebrating 20, 30, or 40 years together aren’t celebrating a flawless love story. They’re celebrating forgiveness, patience, effort, and the strength to work through the mess. They’ve survived storms that could have broken them. And they kept choosing each other -- even on the days when walking away seemed easier. Lasting love isn’t about never making mistakes. It’s about not giving up when mistakes happen. A strong marriage isn’t built on money -- it’s built on character, loyalty, and showing up when it’s hard. It’s staying when it’s messy. It’s continuing to fight for each other -- over and over again” (author unknown).

I couldn’t help but think of 1 Corinthians 13 when I read the words above. Now I know that the apostle Paul wasn’t specifically talking about marriage in this context. Instead, he was trying to mend fractured relationships within the Corinthian church. And biblical love was the answer to their issues. But the biblical love he promotes as the answer to their church problems will work in marriages as well. Notice what he says as part of his description: “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

“Pastor and author Tim Keller once said, “You fall in love by accident, but you stay in love on purpose.” Those first sparks of romance often happen without much planning — you meet someone, chemistry happens, and suddenly you’re caught up in the thrill of it all. That’s the “accident.” But staying in love? That’s not accidental at all. That’s a decision you make over and over.”*

God loves you!

Mike

*https://www.newstartdiscipleship.com/post/42-sermon-illustrations-on-marriage