Some Christian couples focus on raising children. Kids are an exquisite, priceless gift from God, and raising them is one of God's primary purposes for marriage.

But what if a couple is not able to bear children? Even if a couple does bear children or adopt, the child-rearing period of life comes to an end. Our marriage will last longer than the years our nest is full.

Some couples share the goal of getting ahead - succeeding in careers, getting out of debt, finally getting that dream house. Those shared dreams can indeed bring a couple together, but once they are achieved - or never achieved - what's left?

God doesn't want us to be driven or haphazard but purposeful. Long before business texts praised the power of a corporate mission, the Bible illustrated couples living one.

Consider the case of Aquila and Priscilla in Acts 18. Roman emperor Claudius expelled every Jew from Rome. Aquila and Priscilla, as Jewish Christians, were forced to flee the city they called home. Had their life vision been to settle in one place or to live comfortably on their business income, this sudden dislocation would have immobilized them.

But apparently they held a higher life vision: teaching together and opening their home to Christian leaders. During the day, they continued their tent-manufacturing business. And when the Apostle Paul needed a place to stay - for a year and a half - they took him in. When a gifted young teacher named Apollos needed further instruction in sound doctrine, they invited him into their home and helped him.

Excerpted from Serving Alongside Your Spouse, a new downloadable resource from Gifted for Leadership.