Consider the journey of the Pilgrims from England to America in the 1600s. They heard God’s call to go to a new land. They made plans. They sold most of what they had and made great sacrifices in order to live as Christian families. Then they set out on a great adventure filled with joys and dangers, successes and hardships, and in so doing, they established an incredible future for their children and for future generations.
Marriage is not unlike the Pilgrims’ journey. You meet the man or woman you want to marry. You make plans for your future together, and you research and get everything in order to begin the journey. Sometimes you even have to sacrifice things in order to make a life with your future mate. Then you set out together on a lifelong adventure that changes your lives forever.
As on any journey, there are wonderful surprises and times of love and laughter. But there are also dangers, seen and unseen—road bumps, detours, construction, hazards, and difficulties. When you’re on a journey, you’ll inevitably learn many new things, and you’ll grow along the way. You’ll enjoy new experiences, meet interesting people, and encounter challenges. And you’ll make special memories that will last a lifetime.
Dale and I enjoy biking, hiking, traveling, and experiencing new adventures. Whether climbing the Air Force Academy’s Stanley Canyon trail in Colorado Springs, literally scrambling up the famous Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica—just as a hurricane hit!—or hiking in the rainforests of Hawaii, we love to experience everything that a journey has to offer.
That goes for our marriage as well. We enjoy the good times, make lots of great memories, and capture the moments of fun and adventure. But when times get tough, when hurricanes come or roadblocks hinder our path, we realize that the road bumps and potholes are a part of what makes our adventure unique, so we work together to overcome each obstacle that threatens to impede our journey.
Sometimes your marriage will be easy, but at other times, the potholes or detours of life, the circumstances and the challenges that come your way, will test your marriage and your faith. Yet if you embrace the wisdom of God, He will lead you and guide you through the tough times.
Your marriage is so much bigger than just two people joining forces to journey through life together. If you allow it, your marriage can be a special part of God’s bigger story, for you have the privilege of showing others—family, friends, community, and your children—what God intends for marriage. As you choose daily to intentionally develop your relationship in a godly way, and as you seize the moments to love deeply, treat each other respectfully, and forgive completely, you’ll find the journey of marriage to be the most exciting adventure you could ever experience.
How has your marriage been like a pilgrim’s journey? Fill me in!
Adapted from Countdown for Couples: Preparing for the Adventure of Marriage. Copyright © 2014, all rights reserved.
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