Just a Moment…
John Piper wrote, “Marriage. The roots are deep. The covenant solid. Love is sweet, life is hard. And God is good.” Today is Susan and my 45th wedding anniversary. Doesn’t seem possible. Our marriage has uniquely been tied to ministry. I am humbled how she has served at my side faithfully over the years.
I’ve met godly couples who as a team encouraged each other in serving Christ together. What a blessing they’ve been to me. Every church has them. It’s obvious they’re on the same page spiritually. They are a joy to be around. They love and motivate each other towards Christlikeness.
Priscilla and Aquila were such a couple in the first century. They were not what you’d call career ministers. It’s never recorded Aquila ever held an official position in the church. He and his wife simply gave themselves to the gospel cause. Their names appear 6 times in the NT – always together. The Apostle Paul said of them in Rom 16:3-4, Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. We’re never told when or where or how this couple risked their lives for Paul, but he never forgot it. He was eternally grateful for their act of love.
What a couple! They were laypeople, tentmakers by trade, but that was just to pay the bills. Their real job was serving Jesus. I am extremely thankful for those who sacrificially serve Christ, married, widowed, divorced or single. God can use us in whatever status we find ourselves living in. Our task is to be available and faithful.