The Honeymoon Is Over

The blood trickled down his eyebrow, over his nose, and onto his lip. Jason could taste the blood.

They had been dragged out of their home, before the city officials, and now resided in jail. For how long, he didn't know. Maybe forever.

Was this supposed to happen?

It had been like he had fallen in love - like they all had fallen in love. Even more intense then when Jason had met his wife. Jason and the others in his household had fallen in love with the Creator, the Savior, the One True God. He and his family committed themselves to God.

Immediately this happened.

One question kept running through his tired, defeated mind.

Light lit the jail cells, and the city officials made their way into the dank chamber. Their stony faces asked the same question that his soul cried out.

Was He worth it?

Based on Acts 17:5-9

"But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: 'These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here,  and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.' When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil.  Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go." Acts 17:5-9

There is this infamous phrase about marriage. Perhaps you know it.

"The honeymoon is over."

It's meant to say that it's not all lovey-dovey, gooey and romantic anymore. Your spouse no longer has the ability to hang the stars in the sky. Now it's time to go through the trials, testing, and meaty stuff that make a relationship into something that will last. 

As I was reading these verses, that phrase just kept running through my mind. "The honeymoon is over." And so soon! They were immediately persecuted and put on the spot. I can't help wondering what happened to Jason and the others. Did they remain faithful to God despite the persecution?

No matter how quickly the honeymoon ends, the relationship can still stand strong if they are committed.

Millions of people choose to not let the trials turn their love for God to rubble. I choose to walk through the fire with God and come out on the other side even more committed to Him. Will we fight for our True Love, our God, our King?

The honeymoon may be over, but the relationship is just beginning.

V. Joy Palmer