So, just last night my girlfriend broke up with me. It wasn’t anything bad; indeed, it was really an honorable thing. Basically, she had some stuff she wanted to work out on her own between her and God, and that didn’t involve having a boyfriend. And, considering that I write this blog, how could I have a problem with that? So it’s sad, but I respect her wishes and am really okay. After all, my ultimate faith is in God, not in her. Anyway, I didn’t start writing just to lament my break-up. Instead, I hope to use this opportunity to share some good Biblical truth illuminated by this change. I just want to mention a few things.
The first point I want to make is that, as believers, no break-up can utterly, permanently destroy a relationship. Now, in my case that is not happening, as we came to a very amiable end, and I anticipate we will remain friends for a long time. But that’s not always how things work. Even among Christians, sometimes there are disasters. Some wounds are created that seem to irreversibly damage a relationship. However, it can’t be permanent. We have a hope in eternity. When we all get to Heaven, we will be changed. We will finally be like Jesus, totally sanctified. Every tear will be wiped away, and every broken heart mended. In that time, when our adoption is final and we become true children of God, all our relationships will be restored to a greater place than ever before. Even if you never reconcile on earth, God’s love will reconcile you then. Your relationship will be better than ever, even though it will be as siblings and not romantic. Still, it will be more pure, more fantastic, and more wonderful than ever before, for both of you will be wholly committed to your common love: Jesus Christ. In Him all things are made new.
Another point I’ve seen is that no romantic relationship will last forever. We were just dating, but even a marriage ends at death. As Jesus said, “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels in heaven” (Matt. 22:30). No matter how good or how bad your relationship is, it will come to an end. Yet even in this there is hope. For all of these relationships are just shadows, hints of the greater thing. One day we will walk through the gates of Heaven and assume our role as the Bride of Christ. We will unite with believers of all ages and become inseparably bound to our Savior and Lord for all eternity. Nothing will end this relationship, and it will be greater than any and every other combined. This love will never fail, and it will satisfy in a way we cannot imagine.
Finally, the most important thing to remember is that God’s grace is enough. Our eyes are meant to be on Jesus, not captivated by another. And this hope is the strength needed for any break-up. As long as we remember that it is not in another human we are to find fullness of joy, but in God Himself, we will not be destroyed by the tossing waves of earthly relationships. If we trust His promise that all things work together for our good, and keep fixated on His glorious grace, we will find that we could stand even if forsaken by all. Our foundation is God, not another human. And in this let us rejoice, for no foundation can be as good as God!