One part of my role as pastor of Lakeside Church is dealing with hard issues. This weekend we're dealing with the issue of divorce. Of all the topics that come up in the Sermon on the Mount, this one draws the largest response. Although Jesus also talked about anger, lust, integrity and hatred in his Sermon, his comments on divorce create the greatest stir.
I heard of a preacher once who was officiating a wedding ceremony. As he led the couple at the altar, he altered the traditional promises of marriage. Traditionally couples have vowed to love, honor and cherish one another for "as long as we both shall live." It has been a statement of loving fidelity, of life-long commitment. This pastor altered the vows and dramatically altered their meaning. He led the couple to pledge their lives together for "as long as we both shall love." The difference between the two vows is the difference between choosing to love and falling in love.
Falling in love is wonderful and amazing. But wonderful and amazing marriages are built by choosing to love even when the falling falls short.
That's part of the conversation this weekend at Lakeside.
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