Possible Barriers to Your Purpose: Spouse #3

In the days before radar a battleship was barreling along one dark night. As the captain peered through binoculars he saw bright lights rapidly approaching.

Frantically, he sent the message, “Veer off!”

The message came back, “You veer off.”

Angrily the captain answered, “Veer off, you idiot. This is a battleship coming toward you.”

“Well, think it over,” came the reply. “This is a lighthouse coming toward you.”

In navigating the waters of life I sometimes have failed to see danger up ahead. Despite repeated warnings from my spouse, I moved ahead oblivious to my immediate peril. The results were almost always disastrous.

Although this tendency applies to both genders, the ugly truth is that it pertains mostly to men. God seems to have designed women with a full array of radar and sonar equipment capable of sensing impending danger. On the other hand, men were only equipped with an engine throttle stuck on “full speed ahead.”

Men, we need to listen to our wives! Admit it. Our wives are right about 99.9% of the time. It’s our male pride that keeps us from listening to their warnings.

Before my wife passed away she warned me to stay away from two of my friends. In my usual loving way, I told her she was crazy. Of course, she was right on target. After her death, one friend blew his life apart through multiple affairs. The other turned his back on the Lord and began practicing eastern mysticism. In a way I was fortunate. I never heard her favorite words, “I told you so.” Come on, ladies. Admit it. It’s hard to keep quiet when you’re right. Each gender has its own battles to fight.

Once I was offered an important position at my church. It was a job that seemed perfectly tailored to my abilities. Excitedly, I told my wife about the offer. Less than excitedly, my wife told me of her concerns. Ultimately, since we were not in agreement, I turned down the offer. Both spouses need to sense a call to ministry. If not … you’d better

Once again, my wife was right. Several months later a series of events occurred in my life that required my full time, attention, and energy. If I’d have accepted the position, something would’ve had to give. Either I would’ve focused on my job and neglected the personal issues; or I’d have taken on the personal stuff and neglected my ministry. Because I listened to my wife, the problems were resolved, our marriage survived, and the church ministry was not adversely affected.

When one spouse warns the other to “veer off,” think it over. There may be a lighthouse headed in your direction.