The date is April 2015, the fourth year in marriage.

Imagine your spouse coming to you one day and saying, “Sweetheart, God has told me…” You might instinctively think, “Nope, we are not going to do that.” However, as you grow with your spouse, you realize that purpose is continuously unfolding.

The plans you both had when you were dating might evolve as you navigate life together. God continually reveals His purpose for each of you, often in unexpected ways.

A profound example from Scripture is Noah

In Genesis 6:5, it says,

“The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

God then instructed Noah to build an ark, despite the fact that rain had never fallen from the sky before.

Imagine Noah returning home and telling his wife about this seemingly outrageous divine instruction. Yet, she supported him, and Noah completed the ark as God commanded (Genesis 6:22).

Imagine your spouse coming home with what seems like an outrageous revelation, similar to Noah announcing he was building an ark because of an impending flood—a flood no one had ever seen before.

Moses, too, had a similar experience

Supporting your spouse when they receive a divine calling, even if it seems unconventional, is crucial.

Moses, too, had a similar experience. After fleeing Egypt and spending 40 years in Midian, he encountered God through the burning bush.

Moses returned home to tell his wife that God had instructed him to go back to Egypt to free the Israelites.

Despite the apparent danger, his wife supported him.

My Story: Leave Business and Join Patrick in Ministry

Reflecting on my own life, I once aspired to run a successful business consultancy. However, in 2015, God called me to support my husband in his ministry work. It took me eight months of struggle to shut down my thriving business and follow God’s new direction. Eventually, I obeyed, and God has been faithful in providing for us ever since.

Read more from my book: Jesus Killed My Business

Jesus Killed My Business By Dr. Muthoni Omukhango
Rated 0 out of 5
KSh1,490
Add to cart Compare

How to Support Your Spouse to Walk In Purpose

Understand that God has a unique plan for your spouse

The first step in supporting your spouse’s purpose is recognizing that God has a unique plan for them, as stated in Jeremiah 1:5,

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you and approved of you as my chosen instrument.”

Understand that God has a purpose for your spouse, established even before they were born, before you two met and started a life together.

The easiest way to live life is by cooperating with God and His plans on the earth.

Living life in harmony with God’s plans can lead to a more fulfilling and purposeful existence. This includes embracing and supporting His plans for your spouse. Here’s how you can do that effectively:

1. Understand God’s Sovereignty

Recognising God’s sovereignty involves acknowledging that His wisdom and plans surpass our understanding. Trusting that God knows what is best for each of us, including our spouses, is fundamental. Prioritising the quest to understand and align with His will through prayer, reading Scripture, and spiritual discernment helps us to embrace His authority and guidance in our lives.

2. Cultivate a Personal Relationship with God

Developing a personal relationship with God is essential. Spending time in prayer and meditation fosters a deeper connection with Him, making us more receptive to His guidance. Regularly studying the Bible enriches our understanding of God’s character and promises, building our faith and imparting wisdom necessary for navigating life’s challenges.

Demonstrate faith in your spouse

The second step, demonstrate faith in your spouse. Encourage them and provide a supportive shoulder during challenging times. The story of Noah building the ark is evidence of unwavering support amidst skepticism and ridicule. This is how to:

1. Support Your Spouse’s Spiritual Journey

Supporting your spouse’s spiritual journey is crucial. Encourage their faith by backing their spiritual practices and growth. Regularly praying for your spouse invites God’s guidance and blessings into their endeavours. This mutual support strengthens both individual and collective spiritual development within the marriage.

2. Trust and Obey

Trusting and obeying God requires stepping out in faith when His plans become clear. Even if daunting, taking steps of faith demonstrates trust in His provision and guidance. Being obedient to God’s instructions ensures that you are following His path, confident that He will lead the way and provide as needed.

If you make your marriage to be a three cord strand ie your spouse, you and God, then your strength will be multiplied.

And though one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12

There are three levels here:

One, alone you will need too much effort to fight the enemy.
Two, with your spouse, you can resist the enemy.
Three, with your spouse plus God, you become a cord of three strands which cannot be easily broken.

The impact of three strands cord is further explained in Deuteronomy 32:30

“How could one chase a thousand,
And two put ten thousand to flight,
Unless their Rock had sold them,
And the Lord had given them up?”

Logical mathematics dictatees that, if one chases one thousand, then two should chase two thousands right? No. With God in the three-strands, two chase ten thousands.

Help and encourage your spouse to ‘become’

Help your spouse maintain balance as they pursue their purpose.
Encourage them to fulfill their various roles, not just their divine assignment.
Celebrate their achievements and remember that their success is your success too. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 emphasizes the strength found in unity:

“Two are better than one because they have a more satisfying return for their labour. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion.”

When you work together with your spouse, there will be a higher return.

This is how to support your spouse:

1. Communicate Openly and Honestly

Open and honest communication about spiritual matters is vital. Discussing each other’s spiritual journeys and how to support one another fosters a deeper connection and mutual understanding. Sharing insights about what God is teaching each of you can enhance spiritual growth and unity.

2. Encourage Unity and Partnership

Unity and partnership in fulfilling God’s plans are essential. Collaborate with your spouse, supporting each other’s roles and responsibilities. Approach God’s plans as a united team, working together to accomplish His purposes, thus reinforcing your bond and shared mission.

3. Practice Patience and Perseverance

Patience and perseverance are key virtues in cooperating with God’s plans. Understanding that His timing may differ from yours requires patience as His plans unfold. Staying committed to His plans, even in the face of challenges or uncertainties, demonstrates perseverance and trust in His divine timing and purpose.

4. Celebrate God’s Faithfulness

Regularly acknowledging and celebrating God’s faithfulness enriches your spiritual journey. Reflecting on the ways God is working in your lives and expressing gratitude for His guidance and provision fosters a spirit of thankfulness. Celebrating His faithfulness strengthens your faith and encourages continued trust in His plans.

Additionally, be realistic in your encouragement. Sometimes, being a supportive spouse means offering constructive criticism and ensuring that your spouse is not misinterpreting God’s instructions.

In summary:

Show faith in your spouse and recognize that God has a purpose for them.
Lend a supportive shoulder during difficult times.
Help your spouse maintain balance in all aspects of life.
Celebrate your spouse’s achievements and do not feel threatened by their success.
Offer realistic and constructive support.

An excellent resource for discovering and understanding purpose is Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life, which can guide you through understanding God’s plan for you and your spouse.

Ultimately, supporting your spouse in their divine purpose strengthens your marriage, making it a journey of shared growth and fulfillment.

Purpose is Unfolding...

When you spouse shares their vision, purpose or instrctions from God, don’t expect them to have it all clear at a go.

After God had called Jeremiah 1:5, it was a general calling which God clarified in following verses.

First time: Verse 5: We see the general calling is for Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nations.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and approved of you as My chosen instrument],
And before you were born I consecrated you [to Myself as My own];
I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Second time: Verse 10 we see that calling is further refined to include specifics ie uproot, destroy and build.

“Behold (hear Me), I have put My words in your mouth.
“See, I have appointed you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms,
To uproot and break down,
To destroy and to overthrow,
To build and to plant.”

Third time: Verse 11-12 we see further details. Jeremiah can now see well. In verse 5, he was counter-arguing with God not to send him and highlighting his limitations. In verse 11. Jeremiah is seeing well.

The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” And I said, “I see the branch of an almond tree.” Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am [actively] watching over My word to fulfill it.”

The fourth time: Verse 13-14 Jeremiah can now undertand the assignment with clarity and comfort… The previous time, God affirmed him that he had seen well, yet, God came to him and asked him to see again…

The word of the Lord came to me a second time, saying, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see a boiling pot, tilting away from the north [its mouth about to pour out on the south, on Judea].” Then the Lord said to me…

Purpose will keep unfolding so don’t bring down your spouse because the details are not very clear the first time God spoke. Give them a chance to hear again or see again or dream again…