Greener Pastures
Mark 10:7-9 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. (NRSV)
We often think of marriage as an institution and yet when you get into it, you discover that it’s completely uncharted territory – so difficult can it become that many give up. But that was never God’s plan.
Marriage is one of the most precious of all human relationships. Husband and wife deliberately set themselves apart to be faithful to one another. And that’s exactly what God intended.
But anyone who’s married knows that some days, it’s hard. Some days, there’s conflict. Some days, there’s disappointment. Some days, it hurts.
And yet that’s part of God’s plan too as we learn that love isn’t about winning. As one songwriter puts it, love is not a victory march.
But sometimes husband and wife become disillusioned with one another, and the temptation is for the eye to wander to greener pastures. Surely there must be someone better out there. Maybe I’ll …
Jesus said of marriage:
Mark 10:7-9 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. (NRSV)
Moving to those so-called “greener pastures” requires a tearing apart – and believe you me, that involves a pain and a loss that words cannot describe – only to discover that in point of fact, the grass isn’t greener on the other side.
I wish I could tell you that I’m the perfect husband, but I’m not. And as wonderful as my wife Jacqui is, she’s not perfect either. But we have this overwhelming desire to grow old together. And that’s exactly what God intended.
What God has joined together, let no one separate.
Note to self: the grass isn’t greener on the other side.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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