We went to the movies the other day, for our date night. It was quite interesting because the movie we chose to see was on marriage. However the plot of the movie seemed to be promoting divorce. And not just in this movie, but others like it. Whenever someone divorces his/her spouse, they remarry someone better looking and better acting. It's always better the second time around. We need to realize it's just a movie. Statistics prove that second marriages have a higher divorce rate than 1st marriages. And the rate continues to sky rocket with each subsequent marriage.
The thing that alarmed us the most is that Hollywood preaches to its audience and we take its theology to heart as if its the gospel. (And we all know Hollywood is no authority on marriage). Too many times, we have heard people quote a line from a movie or repeat a scene as if that's the way we ought to conduct our lives. The message from Hollywood's pulpit is in direct opposition to the Word of God. God is married to His bride come what may. He never divorces her for a better model. In fact, He promises never to leave her or forsake her. His bride has not merited this unconditional commitment. She gains it because of His love for her. She has hurt him, hated him and wounded him. She has even played the harlot pursuing other lovers. But His loving response was to rescue her from her sin by laying down His life for her. And He asked us to do the same in our relationships. Love like He loves.
It is our prayer, that when those aching from a flawed relationship, sit in a cushy theatre seat and watch this person who escapes his/her pain through divorce (as she/he gets scooped up by someone better), that they will remember its simply entertainment. After the movie is over, each of those actors go back to their real lives. And so do we.
Marriage is not without its challenges. It doesn't matter who your spouse is. If we can learn to love like Christ and not like Hollywood, we would get better results in our marriages.
