“[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.   Love never fails”
(1 Corinthians 13:7-8a, NIV).

     Paul’s wrote, “Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8, NIV). He used the word persevere to describe love’s eternal character. Persevere is a military term. When entering into combat, soldiers worked together in groups of two. Each duo would tether themselves to one another, so that neither man could run away. Persevering is about staying power. To persevere means that two people keep their connection even in the heat of battle.

     I am always troubled when I hear that a couple has filed for legal separation. In some cases, a divorce or dissolution is a sad but necessary action. Yet, for many couples the decision to untether themselves is premature. We quit too soon. We give up without really struggling with and for one another.

     Marriage isn’t the only relationship that often fails to persevere. Too many of us leave our churches, our friendships, and even our families. I suppose we have succumbed to the notion that everything in this modern age is disposable. From clothing to cars and most anything in between, when our relationships no longer work for us we dump them.

     I can’t help but wonder if our lack of commitment is the result of our lack of courage. Courage is needed when we are tempted to walk away. Courage grants us the power to keep fighting for “us.” Courage is the tether that enables love to never fail.

     So, here’s to you, O brave ones. Be of good courage. Don’t quit easily. I think you’ll soon realize that the victory you gain will be well worth the fight.

Prayer:
Lord God, help me today to view others, not as objects to be discarded, but as children who are adored by their Heavenly Father despite their objectionable actions. Tether my heart to yours, so that I may love everyone with the same staying power of Jesus. Through Christ I pray. Amen.