It was 2003.  I had just finished my degree at a ministry school and was starting a year long internship with a church and parachurch ministry.  It was the beginning of so much for me. I was glad to be done with college and even more excited about the path that was laid before me.  I was working with youth at the church, and guiding backpacking trips with the other ministry. I was sure it would be the best year of my life.

And then it hit, or should I say all of it hit. Even though it was spread out through the year, it felt like I was surrounded by pain and was getting hit with one punch right after the other, and no time to recover.  

Let me preface this with something.  When I was young, growing up in a conservative church, I always had this question that I would wrestle with from time to time.  I wouldn’t say that it plagued me, but it followed me and at times would come to the forefront of my thinking. It was simple, but it was unanswerable by the theologians, sunday school teachers, pastors, and scholars that I had come in contact with.

How much control does God really have?

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Some time ago there existed a castle surrounded by walls twenty feet in height.  The castle was known by the surrounding people to have exquisite feasts and parties.  However, it was not just the feasts and the parties that all those outside of the castle were envious of.  It was even more so the joy and laughter and what seemed an indescribable peace that would waft over the walls as an inviting fragrance.  It was every outsider’s dream to come live in the castle, and many would travel there, hoping for the opportunity to gain entrance. But few would be willing to make the sacrifice that was necessary.  

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When we say ‘I Do’. We are committing, promising, and covenanting to love that other person for the rest of their or our life. This is what a marriage covenant is founded upon, it is each individual, making a decision at the beginning of the journey that no matter how hard it gets, they won’t leave or turn their back on the other. Love is like the parameters, or borders that we agree to put in place to keep us together. It is also like a foundation that we are then able to build upon.

All of this is no different in the Kingdom. It is God’s covenant that He made with us to enter into a relationship that does not end and will continue forever. It is the foundation for our journey with Him and it is His promise to never leave or turn His back on us. He is committed to keeping His promise to us even if we spend a lifetime as a contentious Bride. Even if we never pursue a deeper relationship with Him, He still holds to His covenant of love.

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