When Ruben and I were planning our future we saw it clearly, but sadly we were not seeing what
God was seeing for us.
Our ambitions were selfish and methodical.
Like many, we had a plan.
We were
on a road to becoming elementary school teachers. My husband was specializing in Bilingual education
and I was specializing in Early childhood and were already selected for the Teacher Preparation Block
Program at Arizona State University.
"Those days" are what we called our Hell Days, because deep
down we were running away from what the Lord had called us to do.
Ruben and I worked so hard
during long nights of writing reports only to never sleep then go to work and do it all over again. Some weeks
went by where we never slept, and when we did, it was hibernation season for the both of us.
At this time,
we were newlyweds, married only a few months. As semesters went on, the pressure on our shoulders
weighed heavy.
We tried to enjoy our new marriage, but college took priority. We weren’t going to
church at this time. There was no time. We were doing nothing for the Lord's kingdom purposes, yet we believed that someday we
would. . . on our time.
Our plan was that after we graduated and after we had our teaching careers and after
we had our new home, and after we had our new car, then we would work for God and do what He had
called us to do. Only then.
Someday I'm gonna, someday I will.
You see, Ruben and I had plans for a future. You know? The American Dream. We had a "do better
than our parents did" mentality.
We were going to be the first ones in our families to earn a college degree. Our dreams of becoming a living success were going to come true. That's what I thought.
Finally it hit!
During a night class, a sense of dissatisfaction came over me. We were sitting in groups and as I looked across the room and saw Ruben in his group, I said to myself, “what am I doing here?”.
For an instant I
felt like a fish out of cold water. A feeling of repentance came over me and I jumped up and ran out of the
room. As I approached the hall all I could do was fall to the floor and scream.
Tears were flooding my eyes and Holy Spirit
was speaking to me, “YOU both are not following my will for your lives!".
As I talked out loud to Jesus, on
that university corridor floor, on my knees, I knew I was desperate.
It was either going to go two ways. I
would have a nervous break down OR my entire life would be changed.
I surrendered as I screamed out, “If I’m not
suppose to be here, then where am I suppose to be? Show me Lord!".
I heard no answer.
I felt someone grab
my arm. It was Ruben. “What is wrong with you!” he said with this deep look of concern on his face. I said,
“I don’t know”. He was so confused by my crazy behavior, as he helped me up off the floor and said, “we’re
leaving!”.
When I heard those words, a funny sense of calm peace came over me. As we slowly walked out of the corridor
and walked off the campus I was so relieved.
Later that evening, deep down, the words of Holy Spirit lingered. It was the turning point in our marriage. A time of sweet surrender.
How many times do we surrender our marriage to God's will?
Over and over again.
God's will for marriage is perfect.
I have realized the Lord does have a plan and purpose for the marriage covenant.
It's a beautiful plan. An expressive plan of His craftsmanship.
Two becoming one flesh for His kingdom purposes.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 tells us:
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.
A powerful thing you can do as a married couple is surrender your will to the Lord!
Ask God what He wants you to do together. Become a "Power Couple" and say "Here we are Lord, not our will, but YOUR will be done in our marriage".
Make time to follow His will today.
Don't allow the foolish things of this world to take priority over following God's will for your life. It's not worth it.
Labels: Biblical marriage, God's will for marriage, marriage, Marriage tips
