Running the Race Together
My heart's desire is for my husband to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant," when he meets Jesus face-to-face. I want him to remove every weight that slows him down and run the race God set before him with endurance, keeping his eyes on the prize: Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Cheering him on has never felt like a sacrifice because we're in it together.
When Callings Collide and Complement
While attending seminary, our callings collided and unfolded into a beautiful ministry that zigzagged across the country, from Illinois to New Hampshire to Colorado.
For years, God aligned my assignment with Steve's as we served together in local church youth ministry. He was the youth pastor, and I was his main support. As we sought the Lord together, He graciously cultivated the Fruit of the Spirit in us and helped us use our spiritual gifts to glorify Him, strengthen one another, and care for others.
For us, this looked like Steve leading the youth ministry and me using my gifts while complementing his. One of my callings has been to serve as a small group leader, walking two groups of girls from sixth grade through high school while modeling (however imperfectly) what it looked like to love God and others well.
God Expands the Assignment
As I led those girls, God continued to reveal and stretch the gifts He had placed within me. Steve invited me to speak at youth group, conferences, and retreats. Later, God gave me a personal assignment: to write a coming-of-age novel.
Steve faithfully supported me through long hours of writing, brainstorming, feedback, and rejection, reminding us that heavenly assignments can shift while our commitment to each other remains the same.
United Even When Paths Diverge
Today, our callings look different. Steve now serves as Colorado Coordinator for NNYM, and God is moving my focus toward writing and speaking. Our ministries no longer overlap as closely, but our support for each other remains constant.
We pray for each other, provide feedback on written works, and attend one another's engagements. All these rhythms are rooted in a deeper purpose: preparing each other for eternity.
Steve is a gift from God, not just to me, but to the world. I cannot cling to him; I must hold him loosely, giving him freedom to "soar high on wings like eagles" (Isaiah 40:31).
In seasons of separation, God equips me to love Steve well from a distance. He continually shows me meaningful ways to strengthen and support Steve through prayer and simple gestures as he runs his God-given race.
Preparing One Another for Eternity
Sometimes our callings align perfectly; sometimes they don't. Yet, in every season, we encourage one another to love God and serve His Kingsom well.
My deepest hope is that when Steve stands before his Creator, he will be praised for the work he completed on earth in Jesus' name. Whatever I can do to help him reach that moment is worth it-and I know he does the same for me.
May our marriages be havens of hope and love as we pursue God's assignments, trusting Him to guide us every step of the way.
Yvette Cullum is a writer, speaker, and longtime youth ministry leader who has served students and families alongside her husband, Steve. She writes about faith, ministry, and obedience beyond comfort.
