The Marriage of Faith & UnfaithfulTwenty-three years ago, I became engaged to the Best Friend I have ever known. Approximately six-months after our engagement, I decided to say ‘Yes’ to this selfless act called commitment. I was faithful in the marriage for a few years then, I cheated on my Best Friend, with a worthless person/situation. Although I never divorced my friend, I was not totally committed to Him. He never left my side and stayed ‘Totally and Completely’ committed while, I flirted in disguise. Several years escaped before I awaken out of sleep. I tried to recommit but I had become segregated from my friend for so long, until ‘True Love’ had become a mystery to me. So, I kept on looking for love in all the wrong places.
After walking and sleeping with the enemy for some time, all the while, my best friend never left my side. He kept on taking care of me, paying my bills, providing all types of material items one could imagine, despite my acts of infidelity, He never stopped being a friend.
After years of bouncing in and out of the relationship, in the fall of 1996, my friend came to me and said it is time for a change in venue. He said I need to get you away from everything which is so common and destructive to your nature. He told me I am going to take you to a place where you will have to trust and depend on me like never before. My friend told me He would truly show me what it was like to be taken care of by someone, who loves unconditionally. After all, He had stuck closer than a brother…He never divorced me, although I was as unfaithful as one could imagine. My friend took me to a place which was out of my character; He placed me in the mist of people who appeared to have no commonality from my aspect of things. My children were well provided for and we had no lack; All of our needs were met and some of the desires of our hearts. After a few months in this uncommon land, He asked me ‘when are you going to grow up and trust me. My friend told me, as long as you continue in your destructive behaviors I cannot have confidence in the abilities which are engrafted in you. But, for another undetermined length of time, I danced in the wind of various temptations. All the while, my friend paid for all the desires of my heart. He continued to love me and live with me although I had never consummated the marriage.
Finally, my friend said to me, I am going to provide another change in setting, which will push you out of your comfort zone of complacency. I accepted the new challenge of life in a different location. What I didn’t know, it was ALL a set-up from the beginning to this very point…Everything I had ran from, He caused my back to be up against the walls of change. He planted me in a place of familiarity, but again with uncommon people. My friend, who’s name I have not mentioned said enough is enough…you will consummate this marriage. I have been your friend for over 20 years; I have provided you all the desires of your heart.
This is a story of how much Jesus loves you and me. Although we flirt with the enemies of life, he knows the hearts of His children. He did not divorce me because He hates divorce, but allows it, due to the hardness of one’s heart. The Lord knew my heart all along and He was patient, long-suffering, kind, not arrogant, He was not rude, not provoked by my behaviors and He did not think evil of me. Why? Because my Friend Loves Me and Love Never Fails (paraphrased from 1Cor 13:4-6a).
What a Friend we have in Jesus!!!
