Walking As One

"Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?" Amos 3:3

I read an excerpt in a couples devotional Bible once where the writer was comparing marriage to a three-legged race. A three-legged race forces two different people to focus their efforts on one common goal. Standing side by side, facing the same direction, with the inside legs of the two racers bound together. The two people either work out a system of running with the same stride...or they fall. With each couple having the outside leg free and the inside leg tied, they must talk and plan out a strategy of how best to work together.

Very soon after we have said the 'I do's', we realize that marriage includes many challenges as husband and wife while we learn to walk as one. Each spouse has his or her own opinion concerning issues such as finances, parenting, intimacy and careers. These are only a few of the "races" that an individual must run. But marriage is like a three-legged race, and these decisions can't be made independent of one another.

The first step in the race of a good and healthy marriage is to decide to run those races bound together and coordinated. Focus on open discussion and decide to agree on a foolproof plan you both can agree on. Communication is key in being able to set goals together and focus on one step at a time instead of the destination.

"Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7)

If one spouse decides to only concentrate on a personal goal, the other spouse will get dragged along and the race will be lost. One spouse cannot operate as sole decision maker, there has to be team effort and equal commitment.

Success in the three-legged marriage race means realizing that speed isn't as important as careful coordination. Communication and a desire to work together will help two different individuals function as one which should always be how we travel over the finish line.

I love you & He loves you more!

Lord, May Your blessings be on each of our marriages as we try and run this race as one. Show us how to achieve a healthy relationship with one another and bind us together so that we may be stronger. Give us a desire to have healthy and ongoing communication so that we can better function as a couple. In Jesus' name. Amen.