Days…and then weeks…got away from me. Sorry everyone. Without further ado, here’s my 2nd chapter writeup!
Chapter 2: Love and War
If this were a CD, chapter 2 would be a title track. I didn’t actually realize the chapter was named the same as the book until I just typed the header above, and having done so, it actually puts the chapter in an even clearer light. Chapter 1 was written to drive home their status as real people, with a very real marriage; chapter 2 begins the real meat of the book.
Much of the chapter focused on showing the correlation between marriage and the overarching story of the bible. Right away, they point out that the bible begins and ends with marriages — first Adam and Eve in Genesis, then Christ and the Church in Revelation. Marriage is very important in the Bible, and there is a good reason for this. They explain that marriage is a very clear picture of the relational nature of God and that marriage is actually a passion play, depicting the relationship between “Jesus and his beloved” (34).
The title of the book (and chapter), “Love and War” is a reference to the idea that marriage, like the story of the Bible, is a love story set against a background of War. God loves us, and the Bible shows how he pursues us, but it also reveals that this pursuit happens within an ongoing battle for the hearts of people. The stories of our marriages are set within this same world, written “by the same Author” (35).
I like the idea that in the light of the challenges presented by life in this imperfect world, “marriage is meant to throw the balance of power on our side” (30). More than just being a means to understanding the love God has for us, marriage is actually a critical aide to our success in life — Amy is it with me, and together, we are stronger than we would be alone.
But, marriage is dangerous, too. Although it sets up husbands and wives to support each other through the battles of life, in doing so, it makes us vulnerable and makes it critically important that we take marriage very, very seriously:
Pause a moment; take a deep breath. Let that reality sink in a little deeper — you are the human being who plays the most significant role in your spouse’s life. It is not your spouse’s mother or father. It is not your spouse’s favorite teacher, author, or pastor. It is you. It is a sobering truth, isn’t it. You are on holy ground. You matter more than you thought (38).
It seems a little bleak to look at the world as a battleground, but we people are wired up to thrive in the face of challenge. We want and need to “fight some great battle together.” (31). It’s exciting to face that and know that Amy is by my side.
I love being by your side, Babe!