The story's told of a wedding where the minister said to the groom, "Do you take this woman for better or for worse? For richer or for poorer? In sickness and in health?" And the groom said, "Yes, no, yes, no, no, yes." We all want the better, richer, and healthier parts of marriage, but that's not the way relationships work. In some modern marriage ceremonies the bride and groom pledge to stay together "as long as love shall last." Let's hope they both know a good divorce attorney, because they're probably going to need one. The truth is that relationships which are based on feelings don't last. The only real stability in marriage is produced by a firm commitment that holds two people steady when emotions are fluctuating wildly. Can you imagine a parent saying to a child, "I'll care for you as long as I shall love you?" No, and neither does a wishy-washy expression of love hold much promise for the future of a marriage. Think about it this way: Emotion is like the caboose on a train, but commitment is the engine that pulls the relationship through all the ups and downs of everyday living. Solomon puts it this way: "Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned [If a man tried to buy love with all his wealth, his offer would be utterly scorned]. And one more thought—the theme of the Bible is resurrection. That means even though your love may feel dead, God can cause it to live again if you're both willing to let Him work in your heart.
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