‘Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”’ Matthew 19:26(NLT)
‘“O Sovereign Lord ! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you! ‘ Jeremiah 32:17(NLT)
‘For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. ‘ Philippians 4:13(NLT)
‘Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.’ Isaiah 26:4(NLT)
‘Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”’ Deuteronomy 31:8(NLT)
Last week I was driving home. I was coming a different way because I had been in a meeting in a different part of the city. I don’t go that route often because a train track crosses the road at one point and my experience is that the trains that cross there have a million cars (a slight exaggeration). As I approached the tracks, I saw a train was approaching and knew that by the time I reached the intersection the train would be stopping all traffic for some time. I quickly turned down a side street that I thought would lead me to a street that would allow me to go around the train. It would take me a little out of my way, but it kept me moving and would be better than waiting for the train to pass. So first a right turn for a couple of blocks and then a left to take me around the train path. I was feeling really good about outwitting the train and then I came to a sign that said ‘dead end’ but to me it did not look like a dead end. I could see pretty far in front of me. I thought it must be an old sign or was there to keep people from cutting through the neighborhood. With that logic, I went for it. I hate being wrong but I was wrong. The sign said ‘dead end’ and it was a dead end. No way out. Stuck. I turned around and retraced my path back to the train track. The train had passed and traffic was moving.
As we have looked at a number of traffic signs during this two part reading plan, I want to close with this one. Never see your marriage as a dead end. Never give up hope. Stay committed. There is always a solution. Pray for your marriage. Fight together for your marriage. Heed the signs. STOP before you choose pornography or infidelity. YIELD to your spouse and fight the battle of selfishness. Stay on the ONE WAY street that God has given you in your marriage. Obey the DO NOT ENTER signs. Go SLOW and embrace your marriage. Do not run past the CAUTION signs. Protect your marriage and BUCKLE UP. Navigate the CURVES together. Finally, know that quitting is not an option. You have the God of the universe on your side. He has the answers that you do not. He puts the marriage relationship right under our relationship with Him. Your marriage never has to be a DEAD END.
Today’s Challenge:
1. What gives you hope in your marriage even when others might quit?
2. When Dr. Kim says that “You have the God of the universe on your side,” how does that change your perspective?
3. What is something that might at first look like a dead end, but with God’s help is not?
Going Deeper:
If you ever feel your marriage is at a DEAD END, will you give it one more shot? God wants to work a miracle. He just needs you to ask Him in!
from Traffic Signs And Your Marriage – Part 2 by Dr. Kim Kimberling