‘But if you refuse to serve the Lord , then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord .”’ Joshua 24:15(NLT)
‘Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. ‘ 1 Peter 3:8(NLT)
‘A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.’ Ecclesiastes 4:12(NLT)
‘Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.’ Matthew 6:33(NLT)
‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Genesis 2:24(NLT)
‘For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.’ 1 Corinthians 3:11(NLT)
‘Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. ‘ Ephesians 4:2-3(NLT)
From Brandon and Christi, married over 23 years
Intentionally centering your relationship on Jesus is all-important. But how do you actually do that? Here’s what’s worked in our marriage.
Step 1: Decide and Commit
Have a conversation together to be sure you’re shooting for the same goal. Christ-centered means that your relationship is fully committed to Christ. Everything else is secondary. Try creating some belief statements that highlight how Christ will be at the center of your lives. “We have decided, as for us and this marriage, we will serve the Lord.” “We will trust the Lord.” “We will surrender to the Lord.” “We will follow the Lord.”
Step 2: Individually Seek God
Seeking God as individuals is a requirement of having a Christ-centered relationship together. A.W. Tozer gave a great example of this. He said, “Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are in one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow.” To be unified together with Christ at the center, we must tune ourselves to Christ—not to each other. When we take our relationship with God seriously, He brings the unity.
Step 3: Together Seek God
You should make time to connect spiritually every day as a couple. This is where it gets fun. In order to keep your focus on Him, there are several things you can do. Your relationship may be strong in prayer. You may serve at church or in your community together consistently. Whatever passion God has given you as a couple, go with it!
For us, discussing God’s Word has become our most consistent and powerful spiritual connection. The Bible App offers Plans with Friends and we work on a plan together every day. It’s amazing to discuss what God is showing us individually and where He is leading us together.
When Christ is at the center of your relationship, He will do more than you could hope to accomplish on your own, even on your best day. So, take a step to put Him first.
from Relationship Goals