Enduring love is love that survives the test of time. No believer is exempt from a variety of trials. We can attest to the value of endurance that is brought about through trials of many kinds. While we may not have chosen our testimony, the path of trials has, without a doubt, produced a perseverence that could not have developed without them.
Therein lies the mystery of obtaining fruitfulness in adversity. It is one of many ways that the Lord Jesus Christ works. He paid a high price on the cross for our salvation, and then departed in order to send the Holy Spirit, whose guidance, counsel, and help in time of need have been critical at times along the way. We also know the periods of quiet–those times in which He seems silent yet is there. Further, we have known times where we needed to change our ways, repent of actions, and forgive wrongdoing. All these things are part of the development of endurance. There is no substitute for God’s hand in the use of time in lives to bring about His purposes.
On the day of our wedding as we walked away from the crowd who had witnessed our vows, the ways of God to develop such important things, like perseverence, were far from our minds and foreign to our understanding. Having traveled the path He laid for us some 42 years ago, however, we understand a little more. Not only do we love our Lord more deeply, we love each other more deeply. And is this not what should happen if His grace, mercy, and work in us continues? There are several keys. No matter what happens, even after mistakes and problems, we had to turn to Him. We forgave…and forgave…and forgave. Sometimes it was others, sometimes it was each other. Most important, we asked Him to forgive us when we so often erred. Last, as best we could if He spoke or guided us by the Spirit, we obeyed. Even if we were reluctant, temporarily refused, or balked, we eventually obeyed as best we knew.
These things are part of making enduring love. It is worth every hardship.
Roland and Linda
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
This is Ana Cortes Linda and Roland from Los Angeles and King’s Ranch. I love Enduring Love. We all are in these process and forgiveness is the path to a deeper relationship with the Lover of our Soul, Christ Jesus.
I look forward to receiving more. Linda, you are such a brilliant, wonderful and so loving woman and you and your husband were used by God to speak to me about a God centered relationship. My biological parents were a bit frail about this type of teaching, but I they did not know any better and in spite of all, I loved my parents deeply, but I had no grid of what marriage look like. It looks like love from God and his lovers like you and Roland.
May you be blessed and receive a hug and kiss from me.
Blessings,
Ana Cortes
Oh, Ana, how wonderful He is to love us through anything and to persist with us when we do not understand or walk very well in His ways? Thank you so much for your comments. The credit is entirely His. We were blessed to participate with Him.