by Kendall & Cathy Thomas
As we enter into spring 2023 it brings new possibilities and opportunities in every area of our lives. We look forward to the opportunities God will present to us, not only in ministry but personally as well. We remember all God has done for us and we look at areas where we possibly let our guard down and seek the Lord for wisdom and instruction.
The Bible says where there is no vision, the people perish. The Hebrew word for perish is also translated to go unrestrained… each to his own way. A couple going their own ways cannot grow in intimacy and become one. They cannot fulfill God’s purpose for their marriage, and may end up going their own ways to the point of ending the marriage. They stop dreaming together, they stop looking for the future; setting goals and making plans. They lose their vision.
This is a perfect time to ask the question; “What is our vision as a couple”? A vision statement is a short statement of where you are going in life and is the fulfillment of your purpose; to have a vision requires hope. The hope described here is that sitting on the edge of your seat in anticipation kind of hope. The UME verse for 2023 is Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (AMP) After a season of winter that may have caused you to lose hope, whether it is the cold temperatures and gray days with little sunshine, or your personal life situations: marriage, health, finance, or spiritually. You are now looking for the evidences of spring, a time of renewal and refreshing; so you pray, believe, wait and hope. Spring will come!
An effective way to think of vision is to consider what you would like written on your tombstone. Not something people like to contemplate but thinking about how you would like to be remembered can help maintain the focus to fulfill that desire. Think of your purpose in life. What does it mean to be fulfilled? This is your personal vision.
In 2 Timothy 4:7, Paul’s epitaph is an example: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” As a couple we could adopt that as our vision statement by saying, “Kendall and Cathy ran the race marked out for them with perseverance”. Our desire is to be remembered as a couple who stayed the course, God’s course, and finished it no matter what came along in life.
APPLICATION:
· As a couple create a vision statement for your marriage that will help you make decisions and set goals to work toward.
· Consider attending a Refresher UME Weekend this spring or summer.
Blessings!
Kendall & Cathy Thomas
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