a conduit of His love

In recent weeks I've heard a lot of people make the statement that "marriage is hard". Though I know this is true, I think often times we have a perspective about the hard work of marriage that is actually incorrect. I believe God's intention for marriage is for it to be a glorious labor. So many people carry a burden in their marriage that is a back-breaking, slave-like, fruitless work that has no end and yields no reward. This is false. This is so far from the way in which Jesus has designed it. The union that God has authored is hard work, yes, but it is the hard work of Michelangelo's paintbrush as he created the Sistine Chapel. The Godly labor of marriage is Hemingway stringing together every eloquent sentence to construct "A Farewell to Arms". The marriage that our Savior has for you is a coming together of two great artist to create a masterpiece that ultimately is a conduit of His love to the world around us. Marriage is hard, but it is glorious. The union of two people submitted to Christ can be made beautiful no matter how much pain has been experienced and hurt has been caused. Our God is able to redeem and restore all that has been lost, what was stolen He brings back and then some. Wether you are single and longing, or in a damaged marriage and hurting, be encouraged—our God is able to make beauty from ashes—and His plan for marriage, His plan for your marriage, is to inspire wonder and ultimately direct all those who witness it back to the goodness that is Himself.