THE
POWER OF A PAIR

Topics: Marriage; Ministry; Skills

References: Genesis 1:26–31; 2:4–25; Ecclesiastes 4:9–12; Luke 10:1; Ephesians 5:22–33

When the time came for a strategic decision during his ministry, Jesus made an interesting choice. He gathered seventy-two workers, like regional representatives, and sent them to various towns to prepare people for his visits (see Luke 10:1). He could have sent each disciple separately and reached more towns. Instead, he chose to send thirty-six teams of two.

When two people work together, one can protect the other. One can encourage another. Two can split the work, offset each other’s weaknesses, and draw on each other’s strengths. Companionship makes two more effective, not less, than one.

Today Jesus sends out Christian couples, just like he sent those pairs of disciples, because a pair has power. When we felt God was calling us to write this book, we knew neither of us could do it alone. I needed Kevin’s skills in writing; he needed my background in marriage counseling. Together, with God’s help, we could minister in a more powerful way.

Most Christians have been trained to think of serving Christ individually. How often might our ministries—and our marriages—be strengthened if we could find a way to draw on our spouse’s strengths? It’s not always possible, and it’s not always easy. But God has called you to serve him. He also has called you to be married. Those two callings not only can go together; they should go together. When they do, you’ll find a stronger Christian life and a stronger Christian marriage.

—Karen and Kevin Miller, More Than You and Me (Focus on the Family, 1994)