The decision to get married is one of the most important decisions you will make in your entire life. Don’t you agree? I do. It was a decision I made with great care, and I am so grateful that after almost eight years, I still feel like I married the right guy.
But as important as that decision was, I can’t sit here and tell you that it’s the most important decision I have ever made. It’s not. It’s not even the second-most important decision I’ve ever made.
There are so many things that factor into the quality of our lives. And although getting married is certainly one of them, there are several other decisions that play a much bigger role in determining who I am, how much I enjoy life and what kind of woman I can be.
So yes, the decision to get married is major. I don’t want to minimize how important it is. But I think there are a few more decisions that are even more important.
Here are 5 of them.
Who you plan to marry
This should go without saying, but I know that it needs to be said. Don’t get caught up in planning this perfect wedding day without putting a great deal of thought into whether or not you are choosing to marry the right person for the right reasons. It’s a lot easier to decide you want to get married than it is to make a decision about who you should marry.
Whether or not you want kids
Having kids is a major commitment, and I believe the decision to become a parent is more important than choosing to get married. Who you choose to marry shouldn’t have an impact on whether or not you want children. Maybe the number of children you have or how they enter your lives are things you can discuss, but you should be clear on whether or not you even want kids before “the one” comes along.
Doing work you are passionate about
We should all decide what we are passionate about and go about the business of making it a part of our lives. It doesn’t have to be your career. Your passion could be something you do purely for the love of doing it. But knowing what that is and working on it is critical. When you fail to do the work God placed you here to do, it leaves you with a void that no one can fill; not even your spouse.
Making your health a priority
The decision to put your health first is probably the most important decision you will ever make in your life. Managing your mental and physical health ultimately determines the quality of your life. Even if you marry your soul mate, how can you possibly enjoy a long, happy life with that person if your health is failing? Your health must always come first.
Deepening your relationship with God
I think this decision should be above everything else. If you take the time to deepen your relationship with the Lord, it gives you the strength, courage and wisdom to make all the aforementioned decisions. It also guides you toward choosing the right mate to spend your life with. As we learn in Proverbs chapter 3, verses 5 to 6, “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
BMWK family, what decisions do you think are more important than the decision to get married?