Waiting on the Right One in God's Timing

 So many young singles, or even those who are dating, are trying so hard to find someone who will complete them in life. They experiment by going on multiple dates or date someone they are crazy about for a long period of time and often drop hints or even pressure the other on the issue of marriage. I do believe, however, that if it is God's timing, it can be either quick or take years. Every relationship should not be compared to the next because God has different plans and paths for each one of us. Remember, His timing is not our timing.

To those of you who are single and are looking: How are you preparing your heart for the one God has for you? 

I understand that it can be very difficult for some of you, especially you ladies, to be alone and content while being alone. I know. I was single for almost 2 years before I met my husband, Dustin. Before that I rushed into a marriage and before that, I always had a boyfriend. When I was single those 2 years, I was bombarded by guys who took me out on dates with the hopes of having a relationship, but I never felt led to any one of them. It wasn't until Dustin found me, that I knew he was the one. I prayed and prayed for this man and my heart broke for his former struggles and his past. I knew he was the one because not once did I ever pray for any other boyfriend in the past nor my ex-husband. I cried out to the Lord asking for guidance and it was hard. I didn't know if it was my desire alone or God's desire for me to hold on tight to him, but after time went by, Dustin told me that he saw me as his wife. He told me that I was everything he had ever looked for in a wife because I was older, mature, experienced with a child, and godly. I didn't need him to hold me up as a Christian or to better me as a person because I was there; he needed an anchor and God knew that. God placed us together and allowed us to go through all that we did for the sole Will of God to come together in the end. I had prepared my heart for my soul mate. I had also surrendered my thoughts and my heart to God while I was single because I didn't want God to think that He wasn't my main priority in life. One verse that I had repeated over and over in my mind was the verse found in Matthew 6:33: "But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all of these things shall be added unto you." I clung to that verse, tried to keep my eyes focused on him, and here comes the one God had created just for me and vice versa. For those of you who are single and waiting, keep waiting. Spend your time giving praise to the Lord, searching the Scriptures, and being busy. The Bible says in Matthew 7:7: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." I believe that with my whole heart and as long as you do the same, doors will open and the one God created for you will come, in God's timing.

To those of you who are dating someone and are trying to figure out if he/she is the one: How are you preparing your heart for the one God has for you?

Are you taking the right steps in your relationship to ensure blessings and bringing glory to God at the same time? Can you sit back and say with all honesty that you and your significant other are abstaining from sex? Are you two guilty of verbally or physically abusing one another? Are you staying in His word as a united front against the temptations of this world? Dating can lead you and your significant other to become more susceptible to not live in God's Will if you aren't strong in the Word. 

How can you keep yourself pure?

-Both of you need individual accountability partners. An accountability partner can call or text daily to encourage you in the scriptures and encourage you to make the best decision or help you avoid the wrong decision.

-Try not to be alone with one another unless you know that the two of you are strong enough to just hang out. If you're not strong, make sure the both of you keep yourselves surrounded by others.

-If you stay busy for the Lord, temptation won't be as great.

Is the other person verbally or physically abusive towards you?

Are you a victim of verbal abuse? Does your date yell at you, argue with you, point out flaws, put you down? If so, run. You are not married to this person and therefore, you have no obligation to stay no matter how many times they cry or tell you that they will change. They won't change with you, I promise. They might change with someone else, but if it is happening with you, it won't change with you UNLESS God intervenes, but He will understand if you don't stick around to find out. 

Are you a victim of physical abuse? If your boyfriend/girlfriend lays a hand on you, it's time to leave. Why? Some people change, some, but in a lot of cases, the violence will escalate. Women, especially, are the #1 targets of physical abuse because of the size difference between men and women. God made most women to be more fragile than men and because of that, some men use that to their advantage. Unfortunately, every day, women stay and even succumb to death. Don't let it go that far.

Saying all of that, I will say this: Every relationship is different. Our pastor gave his testimony about the man he was when he was married to his wife. He was a drunkard and everything else and didn't receive the Lord until his first daughter was about 6 months. He was rough, but God used his wife, who was a devout Christian, to lead a life that glorified God. In the end, he received the Lord, accepted a pastoral job and God has used him ever since and he is one of the greatest men I know. He and his wife don't listen to country or secular music nor follow the ways of this world. They walk the walk and talk the talk. If you know anything about the Bible and studied the lives of the great people God used, it wasn't the righteous; it was the unrighteous. He found pleasure in using misfits (Moses) and even murderers (Paul) for His purpose. Even if you do everything by the Book, it's okay too. The point is, is that every path that God has for us is different from the next. Why? Ask Him. To me, He can do whatever He wants because He is God and I trust Him at His Word. Will you prepare your heart for the one God has for you? Remember this, God's timing is not our timing. Let Him work. 

XOXO