Here is an excerpt from Nathan Busenitz:
On 13 Katherina von June 13, 1525
Luther married Katherina von Bora
(one of a group of nuns whom he had
helped escape from a convent)
This after he had written: “I shall never take a
wife, as I feel at present. Not that I am
insensible to my flesh or sex (for I am neither
wood nor stone); but my mind is averse to
wedlock because I daily expect the death of a
heretic” (in November of 1524).
Luther was bent on being a "Bachelor till rapture." It's not that Luther didn't want to get married; he chose not to because he thought he could be killed at any moment. He'd rather spare his family from that trouble, so he decided not to marry. However, he did not know that the sovereign God he spoke of would bring into his life a woman that would match his colorful personality, and who would eventually win his heart.
He learned much from his wife and his children;
[and] saw marriage as a great key to sanctification.
[He] Greatly loved his wife “Katie,” whom he often
called his “rib”; [and he] referred to his favorite book of
the Bible (Galatians) as his “Katie”
From this we can see how dear Katie was to Luther. History tells us that he would pick a white rose for her every single morning and then place it in her room (who knew a former monk and nun would get together?!) It was a lively marriage. Both had big personalities. And for the first time in church history, we are finally seeing Biblical marriages being modeled for us.
By no means was Luther a perfect man. His tongue started many fires and everyone hated him for it. But in this I believe he did right. It's funny how contentment in Christ allows you to be content in singleness and even celibacy. But sometimes the Lord brings someone into your life and He just says, "Nope, you're going to marry this one."
Pull out the principles that you want from this. But, remember, you can have a good marriage and a good ministry too. You don't have to pick sides; they both complement each other.
