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We're in our third week of our look at the Song of Solomon. For all that I've said about how difficult it is to preach about love, sex, and marriage to people from different situations - marriage, divorce, widowhood, or singleness - there is one constant, one thing that binds us all together. And that is that it is, no matter what your situation, it is not easy.

It is hard to be married, to sacrifice your individuality for the sake of someone else, to give yourself fully to another person with no guarantee that they will not hurt you or reject you. It is hard to be single, to wonder why no one has chosen you, to feel like your dreams may never come to pass. It is hard to be divorced, to live with the pain or the rejection from someone you loved and trusted. It is hard to be widowed, to wake up and realize yet again that the person you loved the most is no longer there. And it's hard to be dating, to try to navigate a relationship with someone you are just getting to know, all the while deciding whether this is the person for you. One thing we all have in common around this issue is that, whatever our situation, it is not easy, it takes work, and we need help. We need mentoring, we need prayer, we need advice, we need resources. You are not alone, so let's try to work this thing through together. That is the beauty of the church - it is a collection of sinful people with a Savior who support each other and help each other grow in their faith and life.

This morning we're going to look at Song of Solomon chapter 3, and talk specifically about marriage, Christian marriage - what the purpose is, and some Biblical wisdom on how to have a successful marriage. I can guarantee you I'm not going to answer every question you might have about marriage, so please, if you have questions that I don't address, call me or send me an email and we can talk some more. Next week we'll get into sex, the following into conflict and forgiveness, and then some practical advice for relationships.

I have only been married to one woman, so I can not speak as if this is the norm for everyone, but let me just say that marriage has been both the best thing and the hardest thing that has ever happened to me. Marriage has the potential to refine you into the person you were meant to be, or to crush you into the dust. So let's pray, and then spend some time listening to some Biblical wisdom on this all-important subject.