The most powerful commitment between two people is that of marriage. Most of us grow up hoping to eventually become married someday. Many of us dream about having a special and memorable wedding ceremony and reception. People spend thousands upon thousands of dollars on their wedding. However, most of us aren’t truly prepared to deal with the challenges that lay ahead after the wedding and honeymoon. Also it seems that people tend to get married for all of the wrong reasons. Around two-thirds of all marriages in the United States will eventually end in a divorce.
In my opinion, the average marriage is seriously lacking in the most important area – LOVE! By love, I mean unconditional love and total acceptance of the person that you decided to marry. I feel that a person isn’t really going to change from who he or she truly is, just because of some wedding vows. What you see is basically what you are going to get! If your boyfriend or girlfriend has an annoying habit during the relationship, is that really going to change once you two are married. Are you willing to accept someone “as is” to be your husband or wife?
My favorite definition on love comes from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 which states the following:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
I especially like the part about love keeping no record of wrongs. I realize that is extremely difficult for married people to do. Establishing love in its purest form within a marriage takes lots and lots of hard work and commitment.
I believe in the institution of marriage. As a wedding officiant, I hope that every single couple that I marry will actually remain married for life! As long as those married remember to keep their love as pure as possible, there is a great chance that their union will be everlasting.
