“God hates divorce … because he loves me.” These words didn’t come from some 45-year-old who has been in a “perfect” marriage (if such were to exist) for the past 20 years. It came from a leader in our church who has been through divorce and knows its impact on her life, family, and community. She went on to explain how God hates the damage that divorce causes: anger, division, brokenness, fear, and the list goes on. However, as she shared with the group of people in her midst, she made it abundantly clear that nothing going on in their lives—not even divorce—could call into question God’s heart and love for his children.
If we can be honest, the church both (1) has missed God’s heart for those who are going through divorce and (2) is still figuring out how we can live out Jesus’ radical love and Scripture’s teachings on the matter. What is clear is that the Bible challenges our society’s perspectives on marriage and divorce—namely, that Christ is the Lord over marriage and divorce alike. At times, we look to society’s norms and Scripture’s “rules” to decide what we want to do as opposed to turning to the author of our stories. It is easier to satisfy a requirement than it is to lay down our will, wants, and desires at God’s feet and trust that his heart for us is better than our own.
If divorce is part of your story, I want you to hear this unequivocally: God loves you. God is for you. You belong in this community and in the family of God. God knows your hurt and pain, and he is not done writing your story.
For the whole church, the Sermon on the Mount is a call to discipleship. It challenges us to see Jesus as our Lord in our relationships, work, family, school, schedules, finances, and life decisions. If Jesus has sent out the call, will we pick up?
Reflection:
- Where in your life do you struggle to see Jesus as Lord? What does it mean to follow him in those places?
- We all have brokenness and pain in our lives. Where do you see (or want to see!) God’s heart in those difficult places?