"For Better Or Worse"

"And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me".  Mark 8:34

 

All marriages begin with an exchange of vows: for better or worse; richer or poorer; in sickness and in health, etc.  Every couple who stands before one another making such vows stands there all "starry eyed" and so "in love" that they don't really give a whole lot of thought to what they are saying.  They are so "in love" that when they say those words, they don't fully comprehend the meaning of "worse", "poorer" and "sickness".  Then when "worse" happens and the reality of what it means sets in, they start trying to get out of the marriage.

 

People often go into a relationship with the Lord the same way.  Like marriage salvation is a covenant, it involves a vow, it is a relationship and it is meant to last our whole lifetime.   Most people enter it for heaven, for blessings, for the peace Jesus gives, for all the "good things" He bestows on them.  But, like marriage, there is a "worse" part of our relationship that will come.  At that point many give up and turn from Him-- they want a "divorce".    

 

They entered into a relationship with Him because they wanted to go to heaven.  They fell in love with Jesus.  They looked forward to the blessings and good times, but He didn't promise all "good times".  He said we would have tribulations.  He said we would have affliction.  He said that by having a relationship with Him, we would be hated by all men.  We would be rejected, mocked, attacked, persecuted, imprisoned and our own families and friends would turn on us. 

 

In any relationship there is a cost that should be counted.  Every relationship will cost us something.  Every relationship won't always be full of the "better"-- even our relationship with the Lord.  When you enter into it with Him, be aware of the cost and realize too that it is worth it.  "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us". (Romans 8:18)

 

Have a great day.  Every relationship will have a "better" and a "worse"-- even our relationship with Jesus.  But don't quit or turn from it.  It is worth it.    

 

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from 
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