We Don't Connect With God as a Couple

Happy Thursday! 

I had a chance to meet up with a friend this past week. Great time just catching up and the convo started with no real agenda, just 2 guys talking about life and the Lord. And…as many of my conversations tend to do, things went from random to specific real quick. My friend asked: Do you think a couple should have their own individual relationships with the Lord or should they try to connect with God as a couple?

Talk about a random question between 2 guys just watching a football game 🏈. But, as I began organizing a response in my head, I also remembered 2-3 other conversations I was in with guys in recent weeks - probably also while trying to watch a football game. Those conversations unfortunately were about marriage’s heading to an end in 2025 🥲.

Reflecting on all these conversations didn't change the answer to the original question, but elevated the need for the answer to be true - in every marriage.

So to the question of should a couple have individual relationships with Christ or have a relationship with Christ as a couple, the answer is YES.

Yes to both. In fact, I find it hard to have either without the other. To have a relationship with Christ as a couple, you’d have to first know Christ individually. And 🥁🥁🥁 knowing the blessing and strength of having an individual relationship with Christ seems the reason you would desire a relationship with Christ as a couple. Right?

Yet my friend followed his question with a common confession, “because we don’t really connect with God as a couple. My wife does her thing and I do mine.”

There are times when husband and wife connect with God as a couple. There are also times, in the Bible, where a couple do not connect with God as a couple. To that reality, what we can control is our own relationship with the Lord. Do not get stuck and set God aside: if your spouse is in a place where, for whatever reason, can not or will not, go to the Lord, we go alone - like Job did. If husband or wife is willing to go to the Lord together - GO.

Here are a few examples to consider and pray further about:

• Noah’s faith & character, ushered his wife and 8 family members into the ark.

• Job’s faith restored their fortunes.

• Jairus went to Christ alone before he and his wife watched Christ do the miraculous, together.

• Abigail was married to Naval whose very name meant fool. So…he was no help 🤣

• Zipporah knew Moses hadn’t circumcised their son and did it for him. As a result God didn’t kill Moses and he was able to go on to do all the things we know and love about Moses.

• Issac prayed on behalf of Rebekah for 20 years until she finally conceived a child.

• Manoah and wife went together to hear from the Lord together concerning the birth of Samson.

• Jezebel incited her husband against the Lord in 1 Kings 5. If she could set her husband’s heart on fire against the Lord, could you set your husband or wife on fire for the Lord?

That’s it! There is no text book answer and from year to year it may change. What can not change is your determination to pray and seek the Lord for your marriage.

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Have a Blessed Week in the Lord!

Edward