Jer29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
VISION AND PURPOSE
Sometime ago, I discussed with a divorcee. During our discussion, I was shocked when the woman told me that one of the reasons why there was a crack in her marriage was because the church mandated her husband to go and plant a church. They made him a Pastor by force. Now, this woman told me that didn't go down well with her because she can't cope. I understand her perfectly when she said she can't cope. It takes alot to be a Pastor's wife let alone being a Pastor. As simple as you may think that issue is, it affected that marriage. Church leaders need to be sensitive to this things. Ordination should come with the consent of husband and wife. I know an evangelist whose wife hastened his death. He belonged to the class of fiery and raw evangelists but his wife stood opposed to him and his calling. He died in pains.
One of the things you need to diagnose before committing yourself into a life long relationship is the compatibility of vision and purpose. It is an error to marry someone whose vision and purpose in life is not line with yours especially those that have a calling to be in ministry. Not many people can handle the weight of responsibility that comes with your assignment in life. Whenever I teach this issue, I tell my audience that we do not mean sameness of purpose and vision but rather, a situation where the vision of the two complement each other or can find expression without hindering the other. If as a single you have been praying to discover your spouse, I think the first prayer you should pray is the prayer of purpose discovery.Purpose leads to spouse discovery.
Knowing your purpose in life would give you an idea of the kind of man or woman you can marry. I watched a man on t. v. saying that he cannot allow his wife to work because a woman wasn't created to work. She should just face the children and handle kitchen matters. It is clear that such a man would kill all the potential in his wife and would not give her a platform to express her giftings. God doesn't just give his children a spouse without considering this issue because He want to make profit from our lives. God makes profit when we fulfill our assignment here on earth. As a loving father, He would not give you a spouse that would ruin his purpose for your life. Before going to the altar, ask questions along this line and be very sure marriage won't be a burial ground for your vision and purpose in life.
Father, I receive the grace to heed this wise counsel In Jesus name.