I married a sailor. Never in a million years did I expect to be in the ministry. First off, we weren’t even Christians when we got married. And secondly, we had no training whatsoever. “But God…”– a phase commonly used in Scripture – had other plans for us.
Maybe you’re in a similar situation. Or, maybe you did plan to be in the ministry. Perhaps you expected to move into an established situation – but church planting…moving from Jerusalem, your friends, a great church – no way!
Hudson Taylor, founder of China Inland Missions, told potential candidates, “Unless you intend your wife to be a true missionary, not merely a wife, home-maker and friend, do not join us.” Wives of CIM missionaries were considered missionaries in their own right.
So what about you? Do you think you are called? I came to the conclusion that if my husband was called, I was also called…like it or not. We are a packaged deal. Life constantly brings about changes and adjustments must always be made.
So now what? I had to decide whether to be an anchor or a sail to this ship my sailor was now aboard. I chose to be a sail. I wanted to augment, not impede God’s call in his life.
I never wanted to hear my husband say, with regret, “I wish I could have…” or, “I really wanted to…” or, “I would have…but, my wife wouldn’t leave”…whatever. I always wanted him to consider me his partner, his ally, and his chief supporter. I wanted him to follow his dream in whatever way God showed him, with me alongside.
Now I can truthfully say, lest you’re looking at my halo in awe, that I never wanted to move anywhere. I was always the reluctant, cautious one. And I always freely and firmly gave my opinion. However, once the decision was made, despite my objections – well, I was “on board” 100%.
Boats have both anchors & sails; both are needed, wisdom in use is the key.
