Sometimes, life feels heavy, and we begin to wonder if God is truly on our side. We’ve all had those moments of doubt—times when we push forward, believing we’re following God’s calling, only to feel like He has gone silent. How do we know if we’re going in the right direction when it seems the path has disappeared?
Right now, Sandy and I are living in this tension. We feel strongly that God has called us to marriage ministry, but the doors just aren’t opening. It’s discouraging, and honestly, it makes us question if we’ve misheard His voice. If this is truly His calling, why does it seem so hard to move forward?
The Calling That Seems Stalled
Back in 2018, we experienced a glimmer of confirmation. A few small doors opened for us to share our marriage story, and those moments reminded us that God was present and working. I even wrote an article for our marriage ministry site called Reckless Love in Marriage, inspired by the song Reckless Love of God. The message was simple yet profound: the same kind of reckless love God shows us is the love we’re called to show in marriage.
That article led to an invitation to be on the Married Men Don’t Talk podcast, and for a brief season, it felt like things were falling into place. But since then? Silence. No open doors. No new opportunities.
It’s hard not to feel frustrated. We’ve leaned on Galatians 6:9 for comfort:
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
That verse reminds us to stay the course, even when it feels impossible. But let’s be honest—it’s tough to press on when you can’t see the fruits of your labor.
Living God’s Reckless Love in Marriage
Our belief in this ministry isn’t just theoretical. It’s deeply personal. From the very beginning of our relationship, Sandy and I felt God had brought us together for a mission. Our marriage has been tested in ways that made us rely on His strength, especially during the first five years.
Those early years were incredibly tough, mainly because of my addictions. I know it wasn’t easy for Sandy, but she never gave up on me. She loved me with a kind of 1 Corinthians 13 love—a love that was patient, kind, and unwavering:
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Her love wasn’t enabling; it was healing. It reflected God’s love so purely that it helped me heal, both emotionally and spiritually. God used Sandy to show me grace, and through her, He broke the chains of addiction.
Without her steadfast love, we wouldn’t have the marriage we do today, and we wouldn’t be pursuing this ministry together. Sandy’s reckless love wasn’t careless or naive—it was intentional, rooted in God’s Word, and selfless. This kind of love is the foundation of a God-centered marriage.
If you’re wondering how to show reckless love in your own marriage, here are a few practical steps:
- Forgive freely: Don’t keep a record of wrongs. Love covers offenses with grace.
- Pursue daily: Show your spouse they are your priority, even in small ways.
- Sacrifice willingly: Put their needs above your own, trusting God to replenish you.
- Pray together: Invite God into your marriage to strengthen your connection.
This kind of love isn’t always easy, but it reflects God’s character—and it transforms relationships.
What to Do When God Feels Silent
So, what do you do when you feel like God isn’t speaking? A sermon I heard years ago offered a perspective that has carried us through:
“When God is silent, go back to the last thing He told you to do and keep doing it. The calling hasn’t changed.”
This simple truth shifted our mindset. God’s timing rarely aligns with ours, but that doesn’t mean He isn’t working. Just because we don’t see it doesn’t mean He’s not setting the stage.
Think of David. He was anointed as king, but it took years of waiting—through hardship and doubt—before he actually took the throne. During that time, God was aligning everything perfectly so David could step into his calling when the moment was right.
Trusting God in the Waiting
Looking back on our marriage, I can see how God has been working, even when we couldn’t. Those small opportunities in 2018? They weren’t meaningless. They were pieces of a larger puzzle, reminders to stay faithful.
God often works behind the scenes, orchestrating events in ways we can’t comprehend. He’s building relationships, shaping our character, and preparing us for what’s to come. When the time is right, He will bring it all together in a way that glorifies Him.
Like Galatians 6:9 says, “Don’t grow weary.” Trust that God is aligning every piece for the right moment. When the time comes, you’ll see the harvest of what you’ve sown in faith.
Your Call to Action
What about you? What was the last thing God called you to do? Are you still walking in it?
If you’re in a season of waiting, take heart. God hasn’t forgotten you. The silence isn’t a sign that He’s absent—it’s an invitation to trust Him more deeply. Keep moving forward. Keep doing the last thing He called you to do.
The vision He’s placed in your heart is still alive. Don’t give up before the breakthrough. Remember, the waiting is never wasted. It’s in the waiting that He prepares us for the work ahead.
Stay faithful. Stay the course. Your story isn’t over yet.
Living a God-Inspired Life,
Chris