What’s the Purpose of Your Marriage?

There are lots and lots of books that can help you decide your purpose in life and look at that purpose from a number of different angles. It could be purpose in your career, in your relationship with God or in something else. Pastor Rick Warren helps people discover and live a “purpose driven life.” 

With all the resources available, I think the bottom line is that each of us really wants our life to count. We want to make a difference, whether it is in our family or the world. As Christians we believe God put us here for a reason. We want to know what that reason is so we may begin the process of fulfilling it. 

So if we believe God has a purpose for each of our lives, can we take that a step further and say that God has a purpose for our marriage? What if we borrowed that idea from Rick Warren and said that each couple that God put together can have a “purpose driven marriage”? What would that mean to you and your spouse? If the most important relationship in this life is our relationship with Christ and the second most important is with our spouse, don’t you think God might have a purpose for your marriage?

I don’t have all the answers to this one. Actually, I would like your input on “purpose driven marriage.” As I look at our marriage, I see that it has served many purposes over the years.  Some of them benefitted us and some benefited others.  

Here are some examples of “purpose” that have benefited us: companions, friends, lovers, confidants, partners, supporters. Then there are some that have benefited others. First our children as we joined together purposefully to raise them in the way we believed God wanted us to. Then God has brought couples into our lives that we may mentor. This is always humbling and Nancy and I feel we get much more than we give, but God has given us incredible opportunities to pour into other marriages. I also believe God has a purpose for us today as we share with others what we see as His plan for marriage. 

Think about it. What is the purpose of your marriage today? What has been the purpose in the past? What might it be in the future? As Christian couples, I believe we have purpose and if we do then one of the greatest gifts in marriage would be discovering it together and then with God’s help living it out.  

I want to hear your thoughts, ideas, and input. Let’s work together and see if we can together define a “purpose driven marriage.” Okay. Now it’s your turn! What do you think?