Forming Adhesives

“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings…” Philippians 3:10a

Like most couples, my husband and I have faced seasons in our marriage of pain and suffering. There have been times when circumstances threw us into chaos and confusion beckoning response and action on our part. These times forced us to turn to each other, work together towards resolution and figure out a way to move forward. We have cried together, worked together, and kneeled together. We have hurt so deeply in some of our circumstances that God could only do for us what we couldn’t do for each other. At the end of painful seasons our life together was resurrected with a new power, a new commitment and a deep sense of gratitude towards each other.

These times have bonded us in such a way that it formed a marital adhesive that holds when the pressure is applied. Our marriage is certainly not perfect for perfection doesn’t exist in any form other than Christ but it certainly has been deepened and bonded through our shared suffering.

This is the basis for the verse Paul was speaking of when approaching our fellowship with Christ. If we only experience Christ through our calm times there is a surface relationship with no adhesive binding us to Him. We seem to have adhesiveness to our fears and our shackles instead of binding ourselves to Christ. If we would depend upon, lean on and trust Christ in the midst of exhaustion, suffering and uncertainty we will build and experience the fullness of God. Our relationship and fellowship with Christ will resurrect at the death of each season with an amazing power and strength that bind, builds and strengthens beyond human understanding.

In retrospect, I would not trade the depth of love and fellowship experienced with my husband through painful times for anything in this world. It was when he showed me his greatest love for me, his ability to carry me and his complete commitment for me. The same is true with Christ but at such a greater level of love, fellowship and commitment.