From The Word Among Us
| Friday, August 16, 2002 Meditation Matthew 19:312 What God has joined together, let no one separate. (Matthew 19:6)
Marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman who commit themselves to loving and honoring each other in good times and bad for the rest of their lives. Given the intensity of this commitment, it’s no surprise that in the Western world, close to fifty percent of first-time marriages end in divorce.
It’s also interesting that in more traditional (“old-fashioned”) cultures, more married couples tend to stay together, and to stay together longer. Cynics may say these couples are just as unhappy, that they’re just not as free to divorce. There may be some truth to this view, but we should also remember that traditional cultures offer the support and wisdom of a vibrant community to help guide couples and to help relieve some of the normal, everyday pressures that threaten marriages.
Tragically, many people have lost the sense of God’s presence that is the most important dimension to any marriage. Our own day-to-day experience tells us that when that fundamental relationship with God is missing, all other relationships can fall prey to the destructive forces within and around us.
God never stops offering grace to help couples fulfill their marriage vows, but it is only an offer. How can anyone benefit from this grace if they try to live without God? The sacrament of marriage is a constant—not a one-time celebration that evaporates into a few fond memories and fading photos in a wedding album. Every day, there is grace upon grace for couples to overcome differences, love one another more deeply, and smooth out molehills before they become mountains. Every day, there is grace to remain faithful and to forgive even the worst of sins. The secret to reversing those divorce statistics is to consult the Author of marriage himself. He will go to great lengths to heal and restore everyone who seeks him.
“Father, make me a passionate lover of your grace. I want to delve deeply into the truths of your word and your promises. In laying down your life for your friends, you have shown that true love is self-sacrificing. Help all married people to lay down their lives for their spouse and family.” |
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