‘Til Death Do Us Part

        The words “‘Til death do us part” are uttered at the end of the most sacred promise we humans make to each other.  A promise that is now only kept, at best, half of the time.  This being true, it begs the question, “Why?”  A simple question with a not so simple answer.  In order to grasp the enormity one must first come to grips with the complexity of the promise and all of its ramifications.

        In most of the modern world marriage is approached by a man and a woman who have strong feelings of love.  Because of this love they mutually agree that they should spend the rest of their lives with each other.  They agree to be faithful to each other.  Children are coveted.  Happy times are anticipated.  After all, haven’t they already been sharing happy times?  However, if they are to share marital bliss, they must first share a covenant.  This is where it gets sticky.  The covenant is a promise they make to each other, and to God.  A promise that states they will not only share the good times, but the bad times; that they will not only share in days of health and wealth, but in days of sickness and poverty; that they will decide to love the other even when the other is not so lovable.  However, the covenant is not dependent on love.  It is only dependent on covenant.  What makes this so serious is that the covenant is not only between the man and the woman, it is between them and God.  One cannot get more complex than this.  Unfortunately, there are many who break faith with their creator.  Once this is done, it is a small step to break faith with their mate.  When this is done, faith is broken with children and other family members, with friends, and even with self.  Even though the covenant ceases to be “til death do us part,” the pain from broken faith does not.  You see, this pain does go on “til death do us part.”  And, there is nothing we can do take the pain away.  The one who has violated the covenant and the others who have been damaged will always feel the pain.

        Yet, the third party in this covenant is able to bring healing to damaged lives.  That’s the business He’s in.  For those who have suffered a broken marriage, know that God has not broken the covenant.  He remains faithful and true.  In fact, He goes beyond the summation of “til death do us part” on to eternity.  He is able to help you pick up the pieces and begin anew.

        For those of us who have been blessed with a faithful union we know the beauty of those words, “til death do us part.”  As we age, and journey through the wonder of life, traversing the deep valleys, climbing the steep mountain peaks, sailing the tempestuous seas, and soaring the heavenly skies, we have discovered the truth of God’s promise that the two shall become one.  We have learned that the rewards of keeping the covenant transcend everything else life has to offer.  Our marriage becomes our crowning glory, our gift to each other, our gift to our family, and our gift to our God.