Complement: A 5-Day Devo for WomenExemplo

DAY 5 - On Mission Together 

Being on a mission with your spouse is perhaps the most important aspect of a healthy, thriving, loving, Christ-honoring marriage.

The truth of the whole “mission” thing is that Jesus left the earth and challenged us to be on a mission for Him. Before you get confused by that language, let me clear something up. Being on a mission does not equal being a missionary. Think instead of all the movies you’ve watched with the word Mission in the title. Think of all the movies you’ve watched where someone embarks on a mission.

Being on a mission with your spouse means you’re each running your race toward the same finish line. Your end game is the same. You desire the same thing. You believe in the same things. And even if you’re cringing right now because this doesn't describe you and your spouse at all, it doesn’t need to stay like that forever. 

Aaron and I have been on the same mission since June 22, 2001, when we said “I do” and combined our lives together as one. Our mission comes straight from the mouth of Jesus as He left His disciples, where He commanded them to make disciples of all nations (see Matthew 28:19-20). 

With everything we have ever done or will ever do, we have one mission: to make great the name of Jesus and teach those around us all the ways God has taught us to follow Him. Everything goes back to that statement right there. When Aaron and I get to the end of our lives and we die in our bed together while holding hands—just let me believe this will be our ending, okay?—I hope we can say to each other that we did just that. That we made disciples. That we lifted high the name of Jesus. That we taught those around us what it looks like to run hard after Him.

Being on a mission with your spouse goes way deeper than loving the same type of movies, wanting to travel to the same countries, enjoying the same kind of food, or even working in ministry. Being on mission with your spouse means you both have your eyes on the prize of eternity, that everything you do in your lives, whether it be raising kids together, taking or leaving jobs, moving to new neighborhoods, or whatever—it is all for the same mission. It all has kingdom value.

It’s all for the mission.

We truly both believe that everything we do must have a kingdom purpose, or else it’s not worth doing. That’s our mission. Our eyes are on the prize, and as we complement each other along the way, we will run with endurance our race until we see Jesus face to face.

Discuss with your spouse:

• How does your marriage reflect God to others? 
• What is the mission of your marriage? 

We hope this plan encouraged you. Learn more at aaronandjamieivey.com