Ocotber 4: Anointed in Ministry, Absent in Marriage

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Anointed in Ministry, Absent in Marriage

Text: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” – Ephesians 5:25

A few years ago, my family struggled deeply to balance ministry and home life. We wanted to be faithful servants in the church, but somewhere along the way, our family was left dry. We wrestled with how to balance it, and we failed miserably.

The ministry work was fruitful, but slowly it began to take a toll on us. We grew distant from one another. Our love was solid, but our relationship was strained. The closeness we once enjoyed as husband and wife was weakened by the constant pull of church duties, meetings, and endless service.

One day, in the middle of my frustration, I told my husband these words: “Your first church is your home, and God will ask you for us first.” That was a moment of awakening. The Lord used that reminder to open our eyes. We realized that serving the church while failing to serve one another dishonors God’s design for marriage. It is not God’s will for us to sacrifice our covenant relationship on the altar of public ministry.

From that moment, we made deliberate changes. We set aside intentional time for family. We slowed down our calendar. We chose to water our marriage and strengthen our bond while continuing to serve in ministry. We found that it is possible to be anointed in ministry and present in marriage. God never calls us to succeed in one and fail in the other.

Ephesians 5:25 reminds us that the example of Christ is sacrificial love. He gave Himself fully for His bride, the church. If marriage is to reflect that picture, then the call on every husband and wife is to love each other first, faithfully and sacrificially. The family is not an afterthought to ministry; it is the first ministry.

Reflection

  1. Am I pouring out in church while my family is left empty?

  2. What small but intentional changes can I make to strengthen my marriage and home?

  3. If God asked me today, could I say I have been faithful to serve both my household and my church?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the privilege of serving Your church. But help us never to forget that our first calling is to love one another and to honor the covenant of marriage. Teach us to serve at home with as much passion as we serve in ministry. May our homes be living testimonies of Your love, and may our marriages reflect the sacrifice of Christ for His bride. Amen.




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