MARRIAGE IS A COVENANT

Marriage is more than a ceremony and honeymoon; it’s beyond just a piece of paper and rings; it is a covenant. A marriage covenant is designed to be unbreakable, just as God’s covenant with us is. God is the author of marriage and declares that once we enter into marriage, that covenant should never be separated. Your marriage commitment isn’t purely based on whether or not your spouse holds up their end of the deal but on your commitment to God first. No matter what your spouse does or doesn’t do, my commitment is before God, and I ultimately must answer to God with how I handle the marriage covenant.

The covenant of marriage signifies that we’re not just committed to each other when life is good or easy, but through all circumstances that life throws at us. It’s why in a wedding ceremony, we use phrases like “for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do us part.” All these phrases speak to a deeper agreement that is beyond personal comfort and circumstantial ease. Since marriage includes two people with different opinions, values systems, family backgrounds, and life experiences, you can be sure that marriage won’t be perfect, but when two people are committed to each other, forsaking all others and remaining committed no matter the circumstances, it begins to shape something incredible.

The Deadliest Seven-Letter Word!

One of the critical things to a lasting marriage is establishing a "no escape clause," whether you’re right at the start or you’ve been married for years. An escape clause is when we leave room for the deadly seven-letter word “divorce.” I find that when we have the option to avoid pain or difficulty, we tend to take it. I knew a couple one time who often joked about giving their marriage a 10-year test run, and then they’d reconsider; well, sadly, they got divorced right as their ten years were up. Don’t allow any room for escape. It’s time to eliminate the word DIVORCE from our marriage vocabulary. No matter how frustrated, angry, or disappointed you are, don’t jump to using the threat of divorce. Let your yes be yes and your no be no. You won’t be able to enjoy the intended value of the marriage relationship without being all in.

Burn the Ships!

Maybe you’ve heard of the icon story of Cortés and the burning of his ships. In the year 1519, Hernán Cortés arrived in the New World with six hundred men and, upon arrival, made history by destroying his ships. This sent a clear message to his men: There is no turning back. And in the same way, on our wedding day, we burn the ships; there is no going back! There is no return policy on your marriage. I should say that God calls us to a no-return policy. Obviously, our culture preaches a message to ditch your spouse if they aren’t making you happy, but God calls us to be fully committed to our spouse until our last breath.