Myth #1 - Your Spouse Completes You

“You complete me.” It has been over twenty years since Tom Cruise spoke these words across a living room filled with women to Renée Zellweger at the end of the movie Jerry Maguire. The line made hearts flutter and exemplified romance to the nth degree. It was the sign of the perfect relationship. It was soul mates, best friends, and lovers all rolled into one. It became the new standard—if a couple could look each other in the eyes and say those three words to each other, the relationship became instantly bulletproof.

As great as the concept sounds, the reality is that there is not a human living now or who lived in the past or who will live in the future that can complete anybody. It’s asking someone to do the impossible. It’s a standard that sets the two participants up for failure. I’m sorry if I just burst your bubble; but if I didn’t, the truth would eventually.

The reason why “you complete me” is nothing more than a line from a character on the silver screen is simple: The only One who can complete me or you or anyone else is God. When we try to put someone else in His place, the result will always end in disaster. In our marriage, I will let Nancy down—but God will not. I will not always be there for her—but God will. I will be imperfect day after day—but God is perfect eternally. If Nancy lets God complete her and I let God complete me, then we are free to be the best imperfect wife and imperfect husband that we can be. God first, spouse second—that completes me!