Ben Wilson, LPC

Sharing a ministry can be a great way to connect. Being involved in differenct ministries isn't necessarily a detriment to spiritual connection, but it can be.  If the majority of the passion of ones heart is poured out away from ones spouse, not leaving energy for the marriage, ministry can then be an energy drain on the relationship. 

Sharing a ministry can mean weekly service, but it can also mean occasional service. When Ann and I do a conference together that would be occasional service. We love to do them and learn much about ourselves, retell our story, and learn a bunch more about God. 

One fun and meaningful time we shared a ministry occurred several years ago. It actually involved our two kids too. We had been packing Operation Christmas Child boxes for a few years. I looked and there was distribution of the boxes on Indian Reservations and towns in New Mexico. We traveled to Albuquerque, stayed with a couple nice guys and helped deliver shoe boxes for a few days. There was bursting joy on the faces of those kids when they opened their boxes! The travel down and back, the time on the bus, delivering the boxes and experiencing the poverty, deeply impacted us spiritually. We came away a closer couple and family.

What are ways that you and your spouse can serve together? What are your passions? Is there something you'd like to do on an ongoing basis? A short term mission trip? A need in your community? An event at your church? Find it and go do it. 

A caveat is that sometimes couples get too busy serving. It could be one of the factors of an affair. If this is you, keep taking time off from serving. Focusing on your own soul and your spouse and NOT serving at church could be the most spiritual action you could take right now. 

Todays discussion question for you and your spouse: When did I most feel life draining out of me?