Discovering Your Ministry as a Couple

God never ceases to amaze me by the boundless and beautiful plan He has for husbands and wives.  In my own marriage and others, I have witnessed how God pairs one spouse's strengths with another's weaknesses. When operating in perfect unity, spiritual gifts are not only magnified, but synergized. Synergy occurs when the whole is greater than the sum of parts.

One definition of synergy is "the cooperative action of two or more muscles, nerves or the like."

When a husband and wife strengthen their spirtual "muscles" together, the overcoming power that they share in and through Christ is miraculous. Where one spouse is strong, the other may be weak, but since they are "one" they are both strong! Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." God united husbands and wives to not only experience love, but to also demonstrate purpose.

The other part of this definition references "nerves." As Christians, we must be extremely sensitive to the Holy Spirit. A husband and wife may both be sensitive to the Spirit, but each may manifest this sensitivity through different channels. For example, my husband Adam has a gift of discernment and accuracy when encountering different situations and individuals. My spiritual sensitivity operates through encouragement and compassion. Both are needed when we minister to couples. The synergistic effect of our spiritual "nerves" allows us to flow in the gifts at a level that we cannot operate individually.

If you have never taken a spiritual gifts assessment, set aside an hour and take it with your spouse. Click here to find out what your spiritual gifts are. The results are not exclusive or exhaustive. God may give you more or strengthen the ones you have as you walk with Him. We should never limit Him. The purpose is to give you a greater understanding of how you can contribute to God's kingdom.

Consider the unique cooperitive blend of your gifts and your spouse's gifts. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into what ministry He has consecrated for your marriage. For example, one spouse may be strong in the gifts of giving and administration, whereas the other spouse has a gift of outreach and mercy. Perhaps you may join your gifts to start a fundraising organization that could help more people than you could imagine.

Just as Jesus multiplied the five loaves and two fishes to feed the five thousand (Matthew 14:13-21, Luke 9:16), He will inhabit the union of your spiritual gifts.

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