New Year, New Marriage
The start of a new year is often full of resolutions: reading more books, exercising more often, or spending less time on social media. But I also often think about my marriage and what I want it to look like in the coming year. Can a new year bring a new marriage? While I am still happily married to my husband, Perry, we both know our marriage is continually changing and growing.
When you think about your marriage this past year, what comes to mind matters. Does your marriage need some healing and encouragement this new year? Did it feel like it went through a never-ending spin cycle of a washing machine?
When you want to improve or even refocus your marriage, where do you begin?
This year, we’re viewing our marriage as a ministry.
Your marriage as a ministry
Have you ever viewed your marriage as a ministry? Think of what God says in the Bible about marriage, how it is to reflect Jesus and be an example of His relationship with His bride, the church (see Ephesians 5). Even in your struggles, your marriage can show others they aren’t alone in their hardships.
Perry and I are still learning how to navigate that space well. We think of how Jesus broke bread with friends; we want to do the same often (Luke 24:30-31). We think of how Jesus also sat with people when they were going through hardships; we desire to be a sounding board to our friends, our families, and strangers (John 4:1-26).
We often open up our home to others, whether inviting them over for dinner, sports, or coffee. But what would it look like to open up our home to couples who don’t know Jesus or if we would become more intentional with one couple this year?
Are you ready for a new year, new marriage, and new ministry? Here are three ways to get you started thinking about the impact your marriage can have.
1. Pray about it with your spouse.
As Jesus calls us to love God first and our neighbor second, how you invest in your marriage through prayer matters, because your focus is seeking Him first. The more frequently you and your spouse stop and pray together, the more you’ll feel spiritually connected to one another. Whether it’s going through a couples devotional or just choosing a time in the morning or before bed to pray, small changes can impact your marriage.
While investing in your marriage through prayer, you can also impact couples around you through prayer. Oftentimes, as we pray for opportunities to impact those around us, God will give us those opportunities to step into. Pray with your spouse on how your marriage can have daily, weekly, and monthly rhythms to be on a mission together.
“More Than Happily Ever After: What’s My Marriage For?” is a great resource to go through as a couple. It’s designed to help you and your spouse through the process of making your new marriage ministry. You’d be surprised who comes to mind as you brainstorm and pray for where God leads you this year.
2. Prioritize time as a couple.
A regular weekly rhythm of intentional time together can strengthen your marriage. For Perry and I, when we have quality time together, we feel more connected. This could be having a movie night, cooking a meal, walking, or sneaking in a mid-week lunch date. At first, it can feel forced or scheduled. Trust me, Perry, and I felt that way when we first got married, but what helped was flipping the mindset to “it won’t always feel this way.”
As you prioritize time as a couple, allow it to naturally overflow into time with other couples. Whether it’s out at dinner or playing games together, you can use that space to share in vulnerability that your marriage isn’t always this way and paint a more realistic picture that marriage is beautifully hard sometimes.
Looking for a way to invest in your marriage? Be spiritually filled at a Weekend to Remember® marriage getaway. When you and your spouse are in sync with one another, you are better able to minister and impact others in your life this year.
3. Consider leading a small group.
Some of the most impactful marriage moments I’ve experienced have come from witnessing couples leading others on faith and marriage topics. Leading a small group together is an opportunity to create spaces for immense growth, intentional vulnerability, and lasting community. Check out our favorites on sale now!
As you enter into this new year, step into the new opportunity that your marriage can be a new marriage on mission. You can impact one couple this next year, and help them deepen their relationship with one another and with God.
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Brooke Wilson is a content writer, editor, and digital designer for FamilyLife. She serves remotely in Greenville, South Carolina. She and her husband, Perry, have an adorable baby boy named Parker. You’ll often find her at a coffee shop with a friend or on a hike, bringing their Chocolate lab, Willow, along for the adventure.