Why An Image Statement Is More Powerful Than A Mission Statement In Marriage

In 1911, Arthur Brisbane was quoted in a newspaper saying, “Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words.” The more popular saying has become, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”
 
You may have heard that it is a good idea to have a mission statement for your marriage.  I agree– it is a good idea to discuss the focus of your marriage.  Unfortunately, although well-intentioned, these mission statements get filed away in a drawer for no one to see or be inspired by.
 
This is why I believe, as Brisbane suggested, that a picture, or an image, would speak greater volumes than a string of words. I believe that creating an image statement is far more powerful and far more inspirational to a marriage than a written mission statement.
 
Let me ask you a few questions:
What is the mission statement of Disney?
What is the mission statement of Nike?
What is the mission statement of Apple?
 
Unless you Google the mission statement above, I doubt you know them. But, it’s not difficult to imagine a picture–one image–to associate with each of the companies listed above.
Disney—I would suggest that Image Statement is the Cinderella Castle with fireworks exploding above it, or maybe a child’s excitement as she walks towards a princess at the Magic Kingdom.
Nike—I see the image of an athlete dominating in their chosen sport.
Apple—I imagine a picture of an iphone/ipad connecting people to other people in the picture.
 
 
Whether you have been married 3 months or 30 years, I want to encourage you to sit down with your spouse and think of an image to describe your marriage or an image that represents how you want your marriage to be.
 
Here are 3 ways an image statement will bring clarity to your marriage.

1. The image statement discussion will be fun and bonding.

Talking through your marriage dreams and goals, in terms of pictures, can be refreshing and fun!  Ask yourselves these kinds of questions:  If you had to encapsulate your marriage in one picture, what would you want it to be?  Would it be you and her walking in the woods holding hands?  Would it be sitting across the table drinking coffee?  Would it be you and your spouse on your knees praying for your children and other important needs?  Discuss why it is that these certain images come to mind.
 

2. The image statement will reveal your priorities.

The image you select will help to express what both of you clearly value and desire.  This is important.  The image is designed to reflect how you want your marriage to be.  If you can see the goal–you can run towards it!
 

3. The image will help you throw off things that are hindering your marriage.

If your image is a picture of the two of you dancing and gazing into each other’s eyes, but you haven’t gone on a date in a while, then you need to rearrange some things in your life.  If your image is of you serving dinner to your bride, or serving her in another way (i.e. breakfast in bed), then you need to put that into place.
 
Action Plan

1. Plan a 1-2 hour slot to talk through your image statement.
2. During that time, ask these questions:
   • What are the times in our marriage where you very connected with me?
   • What activities make us laugh, talk, and bring out the best in each other?
   • If you had to pick or design one image that exudes the kind marriage you want to have, what would that image be?
   • Do we already have a picture that reflects this? Do we need to have one designed?  Should we have some text put on it?
   • Should we hang this image in our house? Where in the house? Should we have more than one in our house?
   • When is the deadline for our image statement to be put on the wall?
   • What are we going to do to make sure we keep pushing ourselves to live that image statement?

 
 
Creating an Image Statement for your marriage will give you a clear vision of what you want your marriage to look like and will also provide a real goal to work towards. Consider printing or drawing it and hanging it in your house or making it the background on your phone.  Let this image statement become the picture that others paint when describing your marriage!
 
 Final Question:  Do you already have an image statement for your marriage?  What’s the first image that comes to mind to show the kind of marriage you want to have?