I am single. I do not wish to be, but this is what God wants for me right now. It has been a struggle for me lately. I have discussed this with some trusted friends, but today I received probably the best advice I have received yet from my friend Brian West. Brian and I discussed how right now I am longing to have a close and intimate relationship with a woman, which don't get me wrong, is a GREAT thing; however, it is only GREAT if my relationship with God (and that of the person I am dating) comes first in the relationship with one another, and when this doesn't happen the relationship is empty. So how does my wanting to have a close and intimate relationship with a woman relate to God? Brian helped me to see that what I need to do with my longing for a close and intimate relationship with a woman, is to turn that toward God. God has to come first in my life for anything else to work. I need to be longing for God and the Word (the Bible) to fill me and I need to have an intimate relationship with God; then, I will be able to truly have a GREAT relationship with a woman.
Now, all of this is much easier said than done. This is something that is going to take a lot of prayer, listening to God, patience, and some change on my part. If I start longing for a woman to fulfill these desires that I have, I will be turning this woman that I care deeply about into an idol and my relationship with God and with her will not be what it should be. I know that God will help me to figure out how and what this looks like for me in my life through prayer, listening to Him, and learning from fellow believers around me that are already longing for God and have an intimate relationship with Him.
This is exciting for me. It will be an adventure, and I like adventures. God will lead me and be with me every step of the way. I may try to stray, but I will always follow Him in the end.
-Matt
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