A forty year old man, suffering through the
classic ``mid-life crisis,'' sat down to talk to a preacher about his
problems. He explained how his marriage of 20 years was no longer satisfying
or fulfilling. Finally, he reached the ``bottom line.'' ``I just don't love
her anymore,'' he said. ``What can I do?''
After a brief moment of reflection, the
preacher said decisively, ``As I see it, you have only one option.'' The man
perked up with anticipation. Was the preacher going to suggest a divorce?
Would he be free to pursue the thrilling lifestyle of the younger generation
that he had come to admire? Would this be his chance to regain his fleeting
youth? What was the preacher's advice? ...''Seems to me that the only thing
left for you to do is REPENT and start loving her again.''
So often we hear of married couples who
complain that they have ``fallen out of love.'' That's sad -- but it
happens. The real issue is: What do you do when you realize that such a
situation exists? The Bible still says the same thing that it has always
said. Husbands are to ``love your wives''
(Eph. 5:24),
and wives are to ``love their husbands''
(Titus 2:4).
Please note that these are not just
suggestions -- they are commands. To fail to love your mate is to commit
sin! And sin always requires repentance if there is to be forgiveness. Be
careful. Do not confuse commanded love with the gooey, silly infatuation of
a teenager. It is far more than that. It is a sacrificial love that seeks
the interest of the one loved more than self. It is the kind of love that
Jesus has shown us
(Eph. 5:25).