The kingdom-minded power couple

Many of today’s Christian couples struggle with a sense of discontentment, having not lived up to their own expectations of themselves. These husbands and wives feel they should be further along in life. They carry with them the nagging sense that, as a team, given each person’s educational backgrounds, skill sets, and experiences, they should have accomplished more, become more. When these couples look at how hard they’ve worked and compare that to what has been achieved, they are left feeling deflated.

No doubt, amid their despair, they have asked themselves many questions. Chances are, however, that couple has never asked: “Have we consulted God on His plan for our union?” While that may seem like nonsense—Christian babble, even—we must keep in mind that God has a divine purpose for each of our lives, and that purpose does not dissolve when we enter a marriage covenant. In fact, our belief is that God’s plan intensifies when He fuses two of His chosen ones together in the bonds of holy matrimony.

The truth of the matter is, God wants the best for us, but we will never be able to live out the fullness of it as married believers in Jesus Christ if we insist upon doing things our own way. In a self-examination, if we were to be brutally honest with ourselves, we would face the harsh reality that in our own humanness, we often make decisions about what it is we desire to achieve without ever asking God whether our wants line up with His will.

With that in mind, let’s take into consideration for a moment who we are looking at when we think of a successful couple. Are they living lives that are pleasing in the sight of God? Have they become successful in a line of work that gives God glory? Are they winning souls for the kingdom? Are they examples of holiness? Do their lives reflect Christ? These are important question to ask ourselves, because at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who else applauds us if God is not clapping as well.

The term “power couple” is often heard when referring to a husband and wife team that achieves great success. Their names are famed throughout the world. They are defined as elite and are often revered by those who admire them. There is nothing wrong with being a power couple, but the power source—that place from which the power comes—is vitally important. Being a power couple by the secular world’s standard does not require God’s approval. But when the Power Source is God Himself, He is magnified through our works.

It’s important for us to know that if God truly put us together under the covenant of marriage, He did it for a purpose that is much bigger than us. We may think we got married because we love one another and want to spend our lives together, but God’s plans are much bigger and most times, quite different than our own. God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8). In the next verse, the Lord describes just how contrasting they are. He says, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Let’s be real, y’all—things can’t get more different than that! We make so many life decisions and career choices with our finite minds, and many times, they aren’t even close to what our Heavenly Father has called us to do.

God always has a plan for our lives, but if we are so busy pursuing our own fleshly desires, void of His direction, we will totally miss out on what He has for us. Even if we were to reach a level of success in doing it, we would have done so without the blessing of God, which will ultimately lead to disaster. “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12). To find success as a couple outside of the protective will of God can lead to an utter downfall in the end. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).

Despite what the enemy may have us believe, God’s way is ALWAYS the best way. Becoming a power couple is not a sin. The devil has fooled many into believing that fame cannot be found in doing God’s work, but that’s not the truth. We see current day examples—called and anointed men and women of God—power couples in the kingdom, whose names are internationally known for doing the work of the Lord. God has richly rewarded them for their obedience. Our obedience is crucial.

God is more intelligent than any of us can ever become. Regardless of our educational backgrounds, we can never be smarter than our omniscient God. Our knowledge will always be limited, yet He knows everything. That’s right; God is literally a know-it-all! And what’s even more awesome is the fact that when we are obedient and follow God’s orders to the letter, He will work out all the details. He will put the right people in place, make even what appears to be the most hopeless situations work in our favor … AND if anybody tries to come between us and our divinely ordered success, God promises to handle it as only He can.

In Genesis, chapter 12, God gives Abram (later renamed Abraham) a word for him and his wife, Sarai (later renamed Sarah). In verses one through three, we read: “Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I shew thee: and I will make thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” Abraham and Sarah, despite their imperfections (which we all have) went on to become one of the wealthiest couples in the Bible. Because of their obedience to God and their willingness to follow His instructions, they were one of the world’s first documented kingdom-minded power couples.

Drs. Michael & Kendra Holmes are the senior pastors of Deliverance Revival Church in Warner Robins, the founders of Royalty Relationship Coaching, LLC, and the authors of the devotional, “Cross-Fire: Igniting Passionate, Purposeful, and Powerful Relationships.” 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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