The Value of Time in Marriage

The Value of Time in Marriage

Be merciful in action, kindly in heart, humble in mind. - Colossians 3:12 (Phillips)

Time is a precious commodity for all of us. Too often, however, we take the time spent with our partners for granted.

“It’s about time.” “Have a good time.” What time is it?” Where did time go?” These and other phrases are used again and again in our everyday conversations.

We are all time oriented. The measurement of time has evolved into a status symbol as evidenced by Rolex watches.

Your life is regulated by the clock. The theme of a famous song about weddings reflects this—“Get me to the church on time.”

We all approach time differently. Some seem to have a built-in apparatus so they can tell you the time of day within five minutes without ever looking at a clock.

Some are super punctual, whereas others don’t know the meaning of the word. Some believe an event really hasn’t started until they arrive, no matter how late they are.

Some were created with a fast gear and others with a slow one. Some people go through life as though they were directed by a stopwatch, whereas others operate as though guided by a sundial. Think about time for a moment, as reflected in the following ideas.

Will you use time in a way that will bless your marriage? For example, will you thank God for His daily gift of time to you as man and wife?

Time is, after all, the invaluable raw material of your marriage. You wake up in the morning and it is always there—24 precious hours to spend as you choose.

Will you live and love one another as if it were the last day to enjoy your gift of time? What would you do if you knew you were spending your final 24 hours together? What would you say? How would you act toward one another?

Will you regularly invite God into your precious slice of time together? Have you started to gain His vision of what He wants to do with your future relationship?

Will you practice mutuality each day? That is, will you adapt, accept, forgive, always making all things mutual in the spirit of loving give and take? That is what it is all about.

Will you value the ordinary days—including the dull routine—of living together? Will you trade 1 ordinary day with your partner for 10 “exciting” ones without him or her?

Be careful how you answer. Some couples do just that and call it “working extra hard at the office” or “pouring myself into the children.”

Will you make sure you don’t allow the greatest sin of all—wasting your time together on self-centeredness, self-justification, self-advancement, self-pity, self-aggrandizement and self-righteousness—to involve your marriage? Your time is far too precious for that.