Sixteen years! Sixteen years ago this week, my wife and I exchanged our wedding vows. I can still remember that day so clearly. She was so beautiful, so radiant. I was nervous, but she couldn’t tell. It was a very special day.
It’s now sixteen years later, and our love is strong–in fact, stronger. That day when we said “I do”, we made a declaration to God and to each other that we were committed to our marriage. Our commitment was not based on feelings, but rather, a choice.
You see, feelings change. Quite often, I might add. That’s why our love is based on a decision to love one another. There are times we don’t feel like loving or being loved, but we do. We stick to it. We’ve made the choice: I chose her, and she chose me.
There is something about our love that is secure. Knowing that we will not throw away our marriage because of feelings that change like the wind, we can rest assured that our future is strong. I have no fear of Angela abandoning me, nor does she have any fear of me leaving her.
God is like that. Through Christ, we are married to him. He has chosen you, and he is committed to you. And in the same way, we must choose to love God. Yes, our feelings will waiver. We may at times question our pain and struggles. We may not understand why things happen the way they do. We may not feel like loving God, but we must choose to remain committed to him. He’s committed to us, and we can rest in his faithfulness.
No matter what you are going through, God loves you and he is committed you. Through Jesus, you are in right standing with God. You are accepted, loved, honored and approved by God through Christ. You are special to him. Let him be special to you.
“I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:9b-10).
Prayer: Lord, thank you that you are not swayed by feelings or emotions. You are grounded in your love towards us. You are faithful, even when we are faithless. Thank you, Father.