I'm currently reading a book about two lovers who, in the midst of their journey together, find themselves struggling towards God.  At least that's the gist I got from reading the synopsis on the cover (I'm not very far).  As I read this book, I am being reminded that even the most beautiful, loving, ideal relationships one can have are only imperfect reflections of the glorious, enrapturing relationship we'll have with Him in the future...

One who has never been in love might mistake either infatuation or a mixture of affection and sexual attraction for being in love. But when the 'real thing' happens, there is no doubt. a man in the jungle at night, as someone said, may suppose a hyena's growl to be a lion's; but when he hears the lion's growls, he knows damn' well it's a lion. So with the genuine inloveness.

...

We looked at each other with wry grins. Then we kissed each other, a kiss that was pure bliss because of the peril and pain that had torn us. There would be other fights in future years... but always the reconciliation in each other's arms would be such heaven that we wondered whether the joy wasn't worth the agony. The heights and depths. 

- Sheldon Vanauken, A Severe Mercy 

II Timothy 3:2-5

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be:

• lovers of self,
• lovers of money,
• proud,
• arrogant,
• abusive,
• disobedient to their parents,
• ungrateful,
• unholy,
• heartless,
• unappeasable,
• slanderous,
• without self-control,
• brutal,
• not loving good,
• treacherous,
• reckless,
• swollen with conceit,
• lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
• having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.

Avoid such people.

Oh Jesus am I guilty of so many of these things...