I had intended to post on the day I heard the sad news of Al & Tipper Gore’s separation. You can read an informative article about a sad trend called ’silver divorce’ here. When I think of Al & Tipper while they were on the national scene, I remember a charming couple, having fun and in love. I am truly saddened by the news of their separation, and I have a lot of questions of how a couple can walk away from a 40-year marriage. I just don’t know.
Last Saturday, with the ending of one marriage fresh in the press and in my mind, I was privileged to witness a marriage beginning. Our new youth minister, Brent, and his fiance (now wife), Terra, were married. It was beautiful, light and funny and filled with endearing moments. One of those was when the couple whispered personal vows to each other while laughing, crying and praying together. We didn’t get to hear what they were saying but we were blessed to watch as they shared their love with each other. I couldn’t help but be filled with hope that this marriage, beginning as it did so strongly in the Lord, would stand the test of time and be a witness to a watching world.
All this reminded me of something I heard Tom Wright say recently. In a chapel at Wheaton on the book of Ephesians (found here), he stated that marriage was a SIGN of the union of heaven and earth, and he stressed how important that SIGN will be in our emerging world. I like that thought. Strong, healthy, loving marriages will be a SIGN that heaven and earth are coming together and Jesus is Lord of them both.
allencoker