The Ministry of MarriageSample

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? (Purpose)

When it comes to marriage, I believe it is very important to know “what” you’re doing but I believe it's even more important to know “why” you’re doing it. Your “why” is the purpose for which you are doing it. Once you have a solid grasp of why you do what you do, it makes it easier to do it with love, passion and zeal. As a couple, have you ever asked yourselves questions like, “Why are we the way we are together?” or “Why did we even choose to be married to each other?” I know these types of questions can be uncomfortable to answer but they are very necessary to ask. In the book of Jeremiah 1:5 God told the prophet Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” WOW! What a powerful thought to know that even before you were a twinkle in your mother and father’s eyes, God knew you and He had a specific plan for your life. I would venture further to say that before you were even born, God had a specific plan not only for your life but for your marriage as well. Have you ever considered that thought? If not, now is a good time to consider it. We have a Heavenly Father who is purposeful and pays close attention to every detail of our lives, even our relationships and He is not careless concerning His children.

You must understand that God has joined you and your spouse together on purpose. Every couple on the planet may have different assignments but the purpose of marriage is oneness and for the husband and wife to be a reflection of Christ and His bride (the Church). When you are operating in marriage on purpose, you are less likely to throw in the towel or give up so easily when life's tests and trials come. Purpose gives you the tenacity and perseverance to weather the storms of marriage and it also gives you the hope that God is working all things out for the good to them that love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

The enemy often tries to infiltrate our thoughts with doubt and sometimes causes us to wonder if we are married to the right person. Have you been there? As soon as a disagreement or major conflict happens, here comes the voices in your head saying things like “Maybe we aren’t meant for each other" or “Maybe this is a sign that we missed God.” Or my ultimate favourite, “Maybe we’re just not compatible and we have too many irreconcilable differences.” Although it is easy to find valid excuses or justifications for these statements amid an argument, turmoil or conflict, the truth of the matter is that God doesn’t make mistakes and what He has joined together, let no man, woman, or misjudgments put asunder. God never promised there would not be conflict or trials in marriage but He did promise to never leave us nor forsake us and I promise you, if you can weather the storms, you will be able to look back and see that it was all working together for your good and for His glory.

Prayer: Lord, we admit that sometimes it is hard to see the purpose or the why in our marriage but we trust that You are an intentional God and You have designed all things for a purpose, even our marriage. Give us the wisdom and insight to understand our purpose and also how to be a purposeful couple that draws others closer to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.