I’ve never seen the movie Jerry Maguire, but I’ve heard that famous line. You complete me. He loved her and his life wasn’t right without her.
Tom Cruise and Renee Zellweger in Jerry Maguire
While I think romance is fun and it’s important to have loved ones in our lives, I say this quote is a sham. It’s a ridiculous – though prevalent – idea that the most important thing is to find “the one” who will help us make sense of life.
I’ll admit; if I watched the show myself I probably would have gotten swept away with the sweet words and idolatry of relationships that these chic flicks emanate. Instead, I heard a pastor talk about the movie, and I agree with what he said. The men in our lives CANNOT fulfill us. My husband will fail me and wound me, just as I will fail and wound him, because we are both imperfect. To expect him to complete me would put a pressure on him that he is unable to sustain, and in turn resentment will arise in me towards him for being unable to do what he was never created to do. Unrealistic expectations are poisonous to our relationship.
I must put my hope in God. Jesus defines me. My strength and purpose come from Him. Not Jason. I’ve been married 11 months now, and I’ve seen my husband mess up a lot already. I’m often tempted to put Jason on a pedestal in that I look up to him and expect much from him. The truth is he can’t love me perfectly. He will never love me as much as I want to be loved. It would be disappointing except for the fact that I AM loved perfectly by God. I may not always experience depth and intimacy with Jason, but I have it whenever I want with Jesus.
I pray that I will always value my relationship with Christ more than with my man.
Beautifully said.