3 January 2024 - This new year, make time for your spouse

Marriage isn't a time for coasting. It's when we gear up, when we pursue our love, when we seek our joy in each other’s joy and, when we spend time together.

There isn’t a lonelier place to be than married and feeling alone. Real true connection doesn’t come from wishing and hoping for a fulfilling, passionate, devoted marriage. An authentic marriage comes first from God being first in your life and in your marriage, quality, undistracted time with your spouse.

Ephesians 5:21-28(MSG) Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another. Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands. Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church - a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favour - since they’re already “one” in marriage.

1 Peter 3:7(NLT) In the same way, you husbands must give honour to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-11(MSG) It’s better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps, but if there’s no one to help, tough! Two in a bed warm each other. Alone, you shiver all night.

What better time than as partners to agree on what you are going to do this year to grow your relationship with God and each other?

Amos 3:3(NLT) Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?

This inspiring verse points to the fact that the only way for two people to effectively work together and enjoy each other's company is to actively agree to it. Without good communication and discussion about what you as partners are agreeing to grow in your relationship this year, there can be no agreement.

Today, plan your year. As a couple who decided to put God first in your relationship, put each other first, plan together time, know, and understand each other's love language (word of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, physical touch), always do new things together, be each other's biggest supporters, speak positively about each other, and lastly create a partnership, not a competition.

“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” - Mingon McLaughlin