Have you heard the terms “purpose” and “destiny” a few too many times? How about “vision” or “passion?” Chances are, you hang out in evangelical/Charismatic Christian circles.
In our search for personal significance, in our rejection of the American Dream as the end-all, in our bible-based belief that God has specific plans for each of us, we can swing a little too far over – and land in the glamour ministry zone.
Does God do big stuff through ordinary, committed Christians? You bet he does. Has he ordained good works for each of us to do from before the earth started spinning? Absolutely (Eph 2:10).
Is every believer called to dramatic ministry in far-flung places, their name going down in history for their great deeds?
Not so much.
I’m concerned that some young Christian singles have gotten seduced by the idea of glamour ministry.
One of the devil’s sneakiest strategies is to dangle the carrot of significance in front of a sincere, zealous young believer. He uses the world’s paradigm — that singles must accomplish and experience a great many things before getting married — in order to manipulate unmarried believers.
Newsflash – God does not promote the idea of seeing the world before settling down.
Unless you are called to celibacy, your future marriage is arguably the most critical part of your purpose and destiny.
Could it be that the devil wants to derail Christian marriages – and with them, more children raised for Jesus – before they even come about? Could he be using the bait of inflated spiritual importance to get young people to delay seeking a spouse?
In the words of the Church Lady from Saturday Night Live, “Could it be…..Satan?”
There’s nothing inherently wrong with pursuing higher education or ministry training or taking mission trips. God certainly calls some people to special tasks on foreign soil or in other difficult places. He also gives insight into his purposes for an individual.
But then there are the questions of interpretation and timing.
When my husband met me, he was sure we were destined to go to Europe to minister. He had smuggled bibles behind the then-Iron Curtain and felt certain he was to go back with a partner. I speak German, so it seemed to Scott like it was all coming together.
There was just one problem. I didn’t share the same vision.
Should Scott have said no to our relationship because he was “called to the nations?” Thank God he didn’t! We have spent thirty imperfect but fruitful years building a marriage, raising three sons, and pouring into others’ lives at church and in our community. To top it off, for the last several years we have found ourselves in vocational ministry together.
Maybe we’ll minister in Europe yet. I’m not too worried about it.
So if you are a single Christian, here’s a question for you: with all the purpose and destiny talk, are you willing to do the ordinary thing for God?
Are you willing to consider that perhaps the greatest character development, the deepest sacrifice, the most holy place of service is in the context of marriage and family?
Are you willing to trust God with the timing and the fitting together of every calling and purpose and destiny he has on your life? Christian marriage is as high and holy a calling as most of us will ever receive. It serves to enhance every other part of our destiny.
Marriage and family may not look as glamorous as traveling around the world—but their purpose is to glorify Christ whereever you are on the planet.
