Every marriage should have a vision

In almost every important aspect of life, people write visions. Entrepreneurs create vision statements for their businesses. Pastors write vision plans for their churches. Educators erect vision boards in their classrooms. Inspired individuals even gather as a group for “vision parties” to write down the short- and long-term goals that they intend to accomplish for their lives in general.

As it turns out, visions are imperative for our Christian walks also. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” That’s right, vision writing is actually biblical, and Habakkuk 2:2-3 tells us just how to do it: “And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.”

Several years ago, shortly after our first wedding anniversary, we sat down and wrote a vision for our marriage. No one told us to do it, and we didn’t know anyone else who had done it. But we concluded our marriage was worth us seeking God for a vision. Through prayer and collaboration, we established goals that reflected our deepest desires. The bar was set high, but nothing was unreasonable or unattainable—not with God as our head. It was a tailormade declaration of what we trusted Him to do through us, within our marriage.

“As a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led couple, Michael (symbolic of Christ) and Kendra (symbolic of the church) will exemplify the heart of God through the ministry of our marriage. We will imitate His love and compassion in the way that we relate to one another, so that when the world sees us, they see an example of God’s glory. We will love each other unconditionally, honor each other royally, serve each other selflessly, give to each other sacrificially and forgive each other generously. This is our vision, our mission, and our declaration, and it is so in Jesus’ name.”

We wanted a marriage that made demons tremble, and because we wrote the vision and made it plain, we feel we have just that. There is something about writing a vision that keeps it etched in your memory. When God is in it, it’s more than an outline of simple goals. It becomes a prophecy. A declaration. Whatever happens to try and get you off course—and believe us when we tell you that satan will make his best attempt at doing that—there is something about having a written vision that plants it in your heart and causes it to sprout into an almost dogmatic determination.

A common misconception that many Christian couples share is thinking that simply having a personal relationship with Christ will exclude their marriage of major tests and trials. Not so! Anytime you fully commit something to God and allow Him to use it as a ministry tool, you will find yourself at war with the adversary. However, since God is all-powerful, your win is assured if you both stay the course.

That following year, we sent our vision to a company that printed it in bold lettering and mounted it on canvas with one of our favorite wedding photos faded in the background. Since that time, the marriage vision has been posted on a central wall of our house. The whole of Habakkuk 2:2-3 (TLB) says, “And the Lord said to me, ‘Write my answer on a billboard, large and clear, so that anyone can read it at a glance and rush to tell the others. But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!’”

How awesome is our God! Our Heavenly Father is not a deceiver. He does not conceal anything from us. We are told in advance that the results of His plans for us will not come instantly, but if we are faithful in doing our parts while continuing to trust Him, the visions for our lives—and in this case, our marriages—will be realized.

God’s Word tells us that when our visions manifest, they will not be even one day late. God’s timing for our lives is always perfect. What do you want the Father to do in your marriage? Write the vision.

Drs. Michael & Kendra Holmes are the senior pastors of Deliverance Revival Church in Warner Robins, Ga., the founders of Royalty Relationship Coaching, LLC, the authors of the 31-day devotional, “Cross-Fire: Igniting Passionate, Purposeful, and Powerful Relationships” and the founders of the faith-based newspaper, The Royal Trumpet. W.A.R. is an acronym for “We Are Royalty,” ™ the official slogan of Royalty Relationship Coaching, LLC. Visit the website at www.RoyaltyRelationshipCoaching.com.

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