Marriage: A Lifelong Journey Devotional
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 honourable 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 the president of an organisation dedicated to strengthening marriages, trust me, I understand that relationships can encounter serious difficulties that are not easily resolved. But with the highest rate of divorce in the world, it’s evident that our society rushes 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 honouring 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.
"Since they are no longer two but one,
let no one split apart what God has joined together.”
Matthew 19:6
© 2020 Focus on the Family. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Originally published at bible.com.
Jim Daly
Jim Daly is president of Focus on the Family and host of the daily broadcast, heard by more than 2.9 million listeners a week on more than 1,000 radio stations across the U.S. The show was honored as 2012 Program of the Year by the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB).