John Piper recently posted this video on his blog, "Desiring God". This is an incredible testimony of God's grace upon a marriage. Even considering all that Jacob and I have been through -- that seems like nothing compared to the ongoing struggles that permanent disability poses! Although... I am reminded that everyone has a different road to walk, with trials of their own. And while some may seem so much worse than others, God equips and empowers His people with the grace and strength they need to persevere through whatever He calls them to. It's such a good reminder that this life is so temporary... our marriage is momentary. Jesus has an eternal plan so much bigger than we can even grasp!!!
Marriage is not mainly about prospering economically; it is mainly
about displaying the covenant-keeping love between Christ and his
church. Knowing Christ is more important than making a living.
Treasuring Christ is more important than bearing children. Being united
to Christ by faith is a greater source of marital success than per- fect
sex and double-income prosperity.
If we make secondary things primary, they cease to be secondary and
become idolatrous. They have their place. But they are not first, and
they are not guaranteed. Life is precarious, and even if it is long by
human standards, it is short. “What is your life? For you are a mist
that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14). “Do not
boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring” (Prov.
27:1).
So it is with marriage. It is a momentary gift. It may last a
lifetime, or it may be snatched away on the honeymoon. Either way, it is
short. It may have many bright days, or it may be covered with clouds.
If we make secondary things primary, we will be embittered at the
sorrows we must face. But if we set our face to make of marriage mainly
what God designed it to be, no sorrows and no calamities can stand in
our way. Every one of them will be, not an obstacle to success, but a
way to succeed. The beauty of the covenant-keeping love between Christ
and his church shines brightest when nothing but Christ can sustain it.
Very soon the shadow will give way to Reality. The partial will pass
into the Perfect. The foretaste will lead to the Banquet. The troubled
path will end in Paradise. A hundred candle-lit evenings will come to
their consummation in the marriage supper of the Lamb. And this
momentary marriage will be swallowed up by Life. Christ will be all and
in all. And the purpose of marriage will be complete.
To that end may God give us eyes to see what matters most in this
life. May the Holy Spirit, whom he sends, make his crucified and risen
Son the supreme Treasure of our lives. And may that Treasure so satisfy
our souls that the root of every marriage-destroying impulse is severed.
And may the marriage-watching world be captivated by the covenant-
keeping love of Christ.
Learn more about this couple through their blog, "Pray for Ian".
Hmmm, where could we put up a "Board of Gratefulness"? I like that idea.
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