A few nights ago I spent time in prayer for my future family. I trust if its God’s will for me to marry, He will bring me someone amazing and I thanked Him for that as well as thanking Him for any children He chooses to bless me with. I also prayed for my future husband’s here and now. I prayed that God would strengthen him and continuously reveal Himself to him. I prayed that God would allow his eyes to be focussed on Himself and nothing and definitely no one else (Don’t you just love prayer?)
I came across this picture a few days ago too. I personally think it’s beautiful, cheesy, but beautiful nonetheless. I pray for a man who loves God with his whole heart, who is busy about his Fathers business; who completely trusts that God will orchestrate all things for His good and bring his woman at the appointed time. But what kind of woman does such a brilliant man deserve?
Here’s something I’ve learnt:
God LOVES you! But He also loves His son and God will not give him to you knowing you’re not fit to be a wife, nor ready to be a helper; a co-labourer; a nurturer for the vision God has pressed on his heart.
A man focussed on God will require a woman focussed on God. I’m of the persuasion that Abba (our Father) is more than capable of writing our love stories. We don’t need to “help” Him out and go searching for a man, if it’s in His will then all He requires of us is a heart of submission and obedience.
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?…But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:25-27,33)
The beauty of knowing God is that not only does He give us His righteousness and enable us to live a life of holiness, but He also works in us to conform us into the image of Christ. He purges us of unrighteousness so we can bear more fruit (John 15:2). He causes the fruits of the Holy Spirit to become more evident in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23). He removes anything that doesn’t look like Him and chisels us into shape. We need to be 100% submitted to His process of sanctification. We do this by adhering to sound teaching and fellowshipping with fellow believers (Acts 2:42). The more time we spend with God, the more we look like Him; the more we’re able to comprehend His awesome-amazingness; the more we love Him and the more we are able to identify His character in those around us, particularly a spouse – beautiful right?
Prince Charmings really do exist in this world. They are men who reflect our Prince Charming in heaven – Jesus Christ. As set-apart young women, our standards for earthly lovers must be calibrated to fit with the nature and character of our heavenly Lover. We must allow Him to train our eyes to see the beauty and strength of the internal life. We must learn to recognize and applaud integrity, selfless love, courage, compassion, and an intimate relationship with Christ. And when we do, we will be satisfied with nothing less than men who reflect the princely grace of our Jesus. We will recognize these men of God’s choosing because they will have been shaped by our Prince. They will be set apart for the Prince’s service, just as we are. ― Leslie Ludy, Authentic Beauty
It’s a chain reaction. So sister, if you don’t know God deeply not only are you missing out on a beautiful relationship with Christ but you also will be less able to love a godly man fully.
Ladies, It’s a beautiful thing to have a desire to be married. Don’t feel the need to downplay your desire and don’t let it consume you either.
Submit to God! He’ll do the moulding and will prepare you for the future He has for you. Don’t try and run ahead of Him and make it happen for yourself, else you’ll end up with Ishmael’s, when God might have an Isaac waiting for you. Let’s keep our eyes focussed on God and at His appointed time, if it’s His will for us to marry (just like the picture shows) He’ll reveal His perfect will to us. [Ify Alexis. This article was first published on Love Limitless, April 2014]