Marriage: A Life's Journey!

Matthew 19:6
"Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder."
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Traditional marriage vows include the phrase, “Till death do us part.” Unfortunately, these words have become something of a ceremonial cliché rather than a statement of deep commitment to God and another human being.

Travel through our country’s small towns, and you’ll likely come across an array of honorable folks who still seal their agreements with a handshake and who consider their word an unbreakable bond. In the business world, contracts are much more formal, of course, crafted with highly detailed legal jargon that reads like a foreign language. Whatever form these commitments take, the purpose has always been the same – to offer protection, not when everything is running smoothly, but when things fall apart.

Commitment is perhaps no more important than when it comes to marriage. It provides strength and stability when a relationship encounters challenges. Unfortunately, many couples take an opposite approach when things turn sour – they run, rather than digging in their heels when commitment requires it the most.

As a married man myself, it's important to invest in things that will strengthening your marriage, not tear them down.  Trust me, I understand that relationships can encounter serious difficulties that are not easily resolved and I will admit, I am at fault most of the time (and that's hard for me to fess up to), but it's true. 

In looking at our society, we have the highest rate of divorce in the world and it's evident that most marriages rush too quickly toward marriage break-up instead of diligently working to restore a relationship back to health.

Commitment is foundational to surviving conflict. It enables us to focus on honoring God and serves as the fuel for us to work through our struggles with persistence and determination. The next time you find yourself in a heated disagreement with your spouse, commit to drawing closer together instead of running away.