Traffic Signs and Your Marriage - Part 1Sample

One Way

Devotional Content:

Do you have one way streets where you live? I do. Most of ours are in the downtown area. I think their purpose is to make traffic flow more smoothly and I think it actually works. If I am on a one-way street, I have four or six lanes going my way instead of two or three. I get where I am going faster, with less hassle.

Marriage is a one way street -- or it needs to be: One way that puts God first. That “seeks first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” (Matthew 6:33) One way that is a lifetime commitment to your spouse. One way that is for better or worse, richer or poorer, and in sickness or health until you die.

Our problem comes when we happen to think about other one-way streets. The one we can far too easily hop over to is called “me first.” “Me first” puts self first instead of God. It places conditions on our commitment. It says we are here if things are better, richer, and healthy, but out of here if things are worse, poor, or sick. It says we are only here till things get tough.

The one-way marriage street can be bumpy and have a few potholes but it will get us where we want to go. It will not be easy to live out a life that says, “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me,” each day. Those other one-way streets can take us away from an awesome marriage - sometimes so far away that we never find the way back.

Today’s Challenge:

1. What are the one-way streets that take your focus off of your marriage?

2. What do you need to do to stay off of them?

3. What do you need to do that will get and keep you on the one-way street leading to an Awesome Marriage?

Going Deeper:

Discuss the bumps and potholes on your one-way street today. As a couple, what will you commit to that will keep you from changing to another one-way street?