Possible Barriers to Purpose: Your Spouse #1
Lifes most important decision is, Will you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord? But theres a second crucial question, Whom will you marry? Your spouse will affect every aspect of your life. Specifically, your spouse will either help or hinder your unique calling.
Bill Hybels is senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. He lists 7 factors in deciding on a possible marriage partner. Fortunately they all start with the letter “C” so theyre easy to remember. Every question below should be a yes answer.
CHRIST:
Is the person a Christian?
Is the person a “fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ?
CHARACTER:
Is the person becoming more and more like Jesus Christ?
Does the person love Christ with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength?
CHEMISTRY:
Are you physically attracted to the person?
Do you enjoy spending time with the person?
COMPATIBILITY:
Do the two of you get along?
What are the person’s strengths and weaknesses?
Do your temperaments complement one another [Myers Briggs]?
COMMON INTERESTS:
Do you both enjoy similar hobbies and activities?
Are you both willing to try out activities and hobbies that are not mutually shared?
Do the two of you have similar hopes and dreams?
COMMUNICATION:
Is the person a good listener?
Does the person seek first to understand rather than to be understood?
Is the person willing to clarify misunderstanding in communication?
CONFLICT RESOLUTION:
Is the person willing to resolve conflict?
Do they fight “fair?”
Is the person committed to not going to bed angry?
In a disagreement does the person value the relationship more important than being right?
Dr. Steve Lake is a retired educator with over 30 years experience in the American public schools. He has served in a variety of position, including teacher, elementary school principal, junior high principal, Associate Superintendent, retired from public education as Superintendent of Schools in Lincolnwood, IL. He has his Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Education degrees from Northern Illinois University. For the past 25 years Steve has attended and been a member of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and Northfield, IL. At Willow Creek Steve has taught adult classes on spiritual gifts, life purpose, and spiritual disciplines. He has ministered overseas in Angola, Zambia, Honduras, Germany, and Russia. Steve is co-founder of Designed to Serve, a ministry that equips Christians to live out their unique God-given calling. Steve is married and has two adult children who are married.
