Living Happily Ever AfterSample

Happily ever after?

Getting to happily ever after is complicated. No disrespect to Disney, but a good relationship is not that simple. It’s not (1) love at first sight, (2) slight misunderstanding that causes tension, (3) defeat the fill-in-the-blank villain, and (4) live happily ever after. Sorry, I’ve seen too many grinning wedding couples grimace in divorce court to believe that.

That’s why I love the Bible. Because the Bible gives us a better script for happily ever after whether you’re married, single, or divorced and a realistic view of finding true love, lasting happiness, and a deep contentment whatever your relationship status. Listen to what Paul, a single follower of Jesus, once wrote: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11-13). Paul learned the secret to happily ever after. Notice the word learned. This isn’t something we know by nature. This isn’t obvious. It’s a secret that must be learned by God revealing it to us.

What’s the secret? Jesus. Through Jesus we are always and eternally loved, cherished, pursued, accompanied, forgiven, befriended, and desired. Through Jesus we have someone who cares, who listens, who wants to help us with our problems. That is the truth—in all the complicated ups and downs of singleness, dating, divorce, and marriage—that leads to happily ever after.