‘Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish. I will call a swift bird of prey from the east— a leader from a distant land to come and do my bidding. I have said what I would do, and I will do it.’ Isaiah 46:10-11(NLT)
‘Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”’ Genesis 1:26-28(NLT)
Statistically, it’s been suggested that 92–98 percent of evangelical believers struggle to identify their God-given purpose. With such a staggering statistic, it only stands to reason that the percentage for couples identifying their God-given purpose together must be even higher. Living out an individual’s purpose with clarity is tough enough, let alone combining it with another’s. Kids, career struggles, and our everyday demands muddy the already murky waters of uncertainty. Yet God’s big idea, His very purpose for your marriage, will be accomplished. Just as we see in Isaiah 46:10−11, He declares His plans from the very beginning and ensures they will be done.
What is God’s big idea?
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule…'” (Genesis 1:26).
Did you catch it?
God’s big idea is Adam and Eve.
And that plan hasn’t changed. Since the beginning of time, God created man and woman to bear His image. He destined their union as the crowning jewel to His creation, saving the best for last. His invitation to “fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28) supplies the framework for every future generation and presents a prerequisite for accomplishment.
God’s purpose for Adam and Eve’s existence would only be completed if they fulfilled His assignment together. And since then nothing’s changed. The task of governing, ruling, and multiplying required Adam and Eve’s interdependency—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—the same that’s required of you with your spouse.
God created you and your spouse for a work that only the two of you can accomplish together. He foresaw all your differences and carefully combined them together to complement one another. With great loving care, He fashioned you with common interests and instilled values to resonate with one another to make you one. With even greater care, God enmeshed and infused all of those qualities for His well-planned purpose. Why? Because as Ecclesiastes 4:9−12 reminds, two are better than one. Together, you will accomplish more than either of you could on your own.
Begin inviting God to reveal His purpose for your marriage and take steps toward living purpose-focused, not problem-focused, in your marriage.
from 2 Are Better Than 1: Uncover Your Marriage Purpose