The Unknown

If you were told before you were married that you would be here at this point in your marriage, would you still have gone through with it?  The majority of us (being simple humans with simple logic) would say no.   Why would you?  If you could avoid the type of pain and heartache that you are experiencing right now, why not avoid it?

Why would you want to feel the pain of being rejected by a spouse that you pledged your life to?  Why would you willingly put yourself in a place to be hurt and wounded by a loved one so profoundly?  Why live with the pain of having your heart ripped out?  Why do it?

Looking at your plight from the outside, some would not understand why you would endure such pain and agony.  But you know from having had the joy of being loved that it is worth the price paid.  You know the pleasure of being in a covenant relationship with another that you will endure whatever to be restored back to that individual.

As we embark into the married life we face a great unknown.  We don't know if we will be accepted or rejected for who we are.  We don't know if our heart will be embraced or shattered.  But it is a risk we are willing to take because we know that what lies on the other side of the vows, rings, and wedding cake is far better than where we are now.  And in spite of the pain we may encounter being in a covenant relationship, we lay everything on the line, not for love but for wholeness.  We do it all for the restoration of who we were meant to be.  And we can only be that when we become united with spouse.

As we face the unknowns in our marriages we will encounter a myriad of emotions, thoughts, and decisions.  We cannot run from the unknowns but must face them head-on.  They will lead us on strange paths and delicate predicaments.  But, isn't that what faith is all about?  Not seeing what lies beyond but going down the path anyways?  The substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen?  We don't know what the unknowns hold but somehow we know that there is something worth holding on and holding out for.

So, why would we go through it all and face the possibility of being rejected?  Jesus did.  Now, go back and read this from the beginning.  He did it for you; now, do it for your spouse.

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Josh and Serena