No Fear—Get Married



Several wedding invitations are on my desk. Each couple has planned a special day with flowers, flowing dresses, serious vows, love, laughter, maybe some joyful tears, and a gathering of families and friends.

But beyond the moments shared at the altar or in a garden, and after a brief honeymoon, the real journey awaits. And honestly, their future is unknown. 






Many couples delay marriage—sometimes fearing failure, money issues, or just too much uncertainty in our weary world of horrible tragedies, suffering and misfortune.

But please don’t let that stop you from saying I do.



Here are some scary highlights from the year I married:




Revolutionary forces in Iran under the leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini took over Iran. Militants later seized the US embassy and held over 50 Americans hostage—for over a year.

A US oil embargo caused such long gas lines that it took upwards of an hour to get to the pump for rationed gas.





The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan causing global concerns.

Then the Soviets accidentally released bio-weapon anthrax spores in one of their Russian facilities killing hundreds.





wedding dress window shopping





 America dealt with a serious nuclear power plant accident at Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania.

Even though unemployment was under six percent, loan interest rates were rising rapidly, making it tough to finance a home or start a business.











So there was plenty of uncertainty. But there was inspiration too—Mother Teresa won the Nobel Peace Prize for her sacrificial efforts in the slums of India.


old church converted to movie theater


On our honeymoon as we drove throughout the pristine Olympic Peninsula, we listened to the Seattle Sonics win their first ever NBA title! 

Even though we were very poor college students, we knew the power of teamwork and had lots of hopeful plans.

We didn’t know when the economy would improve, but we did know what love felt like and that was enough to believe in tomorrow. 





Couples are given sweet words about love to encourage them, but I’d rather give advice about fear: 

Where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love takes away fear. 1 John 4:18

No need to fear today or tomorrow. God is there. He will help with all the uncertainty. And love will always be stronger than fear.

Now, go ahead and seal the deal. Life together is twice as nice.


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