“Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of His body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” Ephesians 4:15-16 (NLT)

The Truth Serum of Love

I cut my teeth on every spy movie they made back in the “old days.” I loved the thrill of the hunt, the questions, the unknown, the mystery and intrigue. I remember how, so often the bad guys would resort to “truth serum” to get the good guys to talk. Soon after an injection, the poor soul who was injected would start pouring out the sought-after information, all the while I’m screaming, “No, no! Don’t tell them anything!”

I’ve realized that after thirty-three years of marriage, the God who loves us so very much actually allows daily doses of “truth serum” into our lives, via who other than our spouse! I may not like it, I may not want it, and I don’t usually agree with it, but it still happens! Our God is a masterful orchestrator at creating the body of Christ that He wants for His purposes. I can kick and I can scream, but God knows what I need to hear to change.

God has His ways of getting us to open up. Just like truth serum from the movies, one small dose and I’m blabbin’ my fool head off. It isn’t always pretty, but eventually the root cause of disagreement between my husband and me comes out. Sweeping things under the rug neverworks, and usually involves a volcanic-like eruption at some unforeseen and inconvenient time—like five minutes before you walk into church. Nice.

Had I really known all this before marriage, would I still have gotten hitched? Well, let’s just say, the jury’s still out on that one. Who knowingly puts their finger in a light socket?! Well, that sounds a bit harsh, but they do say, no good thing comes without pain, and I dare say every marriage will involve pain of some sort, on some level, at some time. We’re broken people, and it takes a lot to fix us (some of us more than others).

Please, please don’t take this as condemnation for those who have divorced. I myself was divorced before—I know your pain, but these days, the media, the gates of hell, and society all shout in our ears, “Divorce! Divorce! Divorce! That’s the way out of your marital problems.” And, “You know you can never find true happiness with him!” Lies, all lies from the pit of hell. I’ve heard this devious perversion of the truth throughout my marriage. For anyone, it takes God-fearing guts to stay in a challenging marriage. At times, it may feel like there’s no hope, but I’m here to testify that when we cry out to God for His help, His renovation, and open our hearts for His “truth serum,” things can truly change. I’ve seen it with my own eyes this second time around.

The truth serum of love shows us where we ourselves are lacking, and admitting this opens the door for Jesus to restore. If we deny it, our gut-wrenching misery will only be prolonged. Not one of us has it all together, and if we face up to that fact, we’re well on our way to being “fit perfectly together” in the body of Christ.

Dear Jesus, life is so confusing at times and we are needy for Your guidance and help.  Please cut through the lies and open our hearts to Your “truth serum of love.” Amen!