Keeping Your Focus on Serving Jesus in the Last Days Without Letting Marriage Become a Distraction
For Christians, the call to serve Jesus is paramount, especially in what many believe to be the last days—a time marked by spiritual urgency and the anticipation of Christ’s return. Marriage, while a sacred and God-ordained institution, can sometimes become a distraction if not approached with intentionality and alignment with God’s purposes. This article explores how to balance the responsibilities and joys of marriage while staying focused on serving Jesus wholeheartedly, ensuring that your relationship strengthens rather than hinders your devotion to Him.
1. Prioritize Your Relationship with Christ Above All
The foundation of a Christ-centered life—and a Christ-centered marriage—is a personal commitment to Jesus. In Matthew 22:37, Jesus declares, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This command applies to every believer, married or single. To avoid letting marriage distract you from serving Jesus, ensure that your relationship with Him remains your first priority.
Practically, this means maintaining daily habits of prayer, Bible study, and worship, even amidst the demands of married life. Encourage your spouse to join you in these practices, but also carve out personal time to seek God’s guidance and strength. When both spouses prioritize their individual walks with Christ, their marriage becomes a partnership that glorifies God rather than a competing allegiance.
2. Align Your Marriage with God’s Mission
Marriage is not an end in itself but a means to reflect God’s love and advance His kingdom. Ephesians 5:25 calls husbands to love their wives “as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,” highlighting the sacrificial, Christlike nature of marital love. By viewing your marriage as a ministry, you can prevent it from becoming a distraction and instead make it a vehicle for serving Jesus.
Discuss with your spouse how you can serve God together in these last days. This might involve praying for revival, sharing the gospel with neighbors, supporting missions, or serving in your local church. When your marriage is aligned with God’s mission, it becomes a source of spiritual strength rather than a pull away from your calling. For example, instead of letting household responsibilities consume all your time, set boundaries to ensure you both have opportunities to engage in kingdom work.
3. Guard Against Idolatry in Marriage
One subtle way marriage can distract from serving Jesus is when it becomes an idol—a source of ultimate fulfillment or security. While marriage is a gift from God, it cannot replace Him as the center of your life. In Luke 14:26, Jesus says, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children… he cannot be my disciple.” This hyperbolic language underscores that loyalty to Christ must surpass even the closest human relationships.
To guard against idolatry, regularly examine your heart. Are you seeking from your spouse what only God can provide—perfect love, identity, or purpose? Are you prioritizing your spouse’s approval over obedience to God? If so, refocus by confessing these tendencies to God and recommitting to His lordship. A marriage rooted in mutual submission to Christ is less likely to compete with your devotion to Him.
4. Manage Time and Responsibilities Wisely
Marriage brings practical responsibilities—finances, household tasks, and sometimes parenting—that can consume time and energy, leaving little room for serving Jesus. In the last days, when the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few (Matthew 9:37), believers are called to be intentional stewards of their time.
Work together with your spouse to create a schedule that balances family obligations with ministry opportunities. For instance, designate specific times for serving in church, volunteering, or engaging in evangelism, and protect those commitments as you would other priorities. Avoid overcommitting to activities that, while good, may detract from your ability to serve God effectively. By managing time wisely, you ensure that marriage supports rather than hinders your mission.
5. Embrace Singleness of Purpose, Even in Marriage
The Apostle Paul addresses the potential for marriage to distract in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35, noting that “the unmarried… is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married… is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided.” While Paul affirms the goodness of marriage, he highlights the advantage of singleness in its undivided focus on God.
Married Christians can adopt a “singleness of purpose” by aligning their marriage with God’s will. This means making decisions together that prioritize eternal impact over temporal comfort. For example, instead of focusing solely on building a comfortable life, consider how you can sacrifice time, resources, or preferences to advance the gospel. In the last days, when spiritual battles intensify, a united commitment to God’s purposes keeps marriage from becoming a distraction.
6. Support Each Other’s Callings
In a healthy Christian marriage, both spouses encourage one another to fulfill God’s unique calling for their lives. Rather than viewing your spouse’s ministry as a threat to your relationship, see it as an opportunity to partner in God’s work. Galatians 6:2 instructs believers to “bear one another’s burdens,” and this applies to supporting each other’s spiritual endeavors.
Have open conversations about how God is leading each of you. If one spouse feels called to a specific ministry—such as teaching, outreach, or prayer—find ways to enable and celebrate that calling. This might mean adjusting schedules, sharing responsibilities, or even joining in the work together. By championing each other’s service to Jesus, you prevent marriage from pulling you away from Him and instead make it a source of mutual encouragement.
7. Stay Anchored in Eschatological Hope
The belief in the last days brings a sense of urgency to serve Jesus faithfully, knowing that His return is near. Revelation 22:12 reminds us, “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” This eschatological hope keeps marriage in perspective—it is a temporary institution, while your relationship with Christ is eternal.
Regularly reflect on the reality of Christ’s return, both individually and as a couple. Discuss how you can live in light of eternity, prioritizing what matters to God. This might mean simplifying your lifestyle to focus on ministry, forgiving quickly to maintain unity, or boldly sharing your faith despite opposition. When your marriage is anchored in the hope of Jesus’ return, it becomes a partnership that propels you toward service rather than a distraction from it.
Conclusion
Marriage is a beautiful gift, but in the last days, Christians are called to serve Jesus with unwavering focus. By prioritizing your relationship with Christ, aligning your marriage with God’s mission, guarding against idolatry, managing time wisely, embracing a singleness of purpose, supporting each other’s callings, and staying anchored in eschatological hope, you can ensure that your marriage enhances rather than hinders your devotion to Jesus. As you navigate the joys and challenges of married life, let your relationship be a reflection of Christ’s love and a platform for serving Him faithfully until He returns.
By Ben Ross and Grok AI
