There are seasons when the road of singleness becomes weary. We want to please God by waiting for the One He is making ready just for us, but in the meanwhile feelings of restlessness and pain threaten to overtake us. If you have been waiting for very long at all then you can understand what I mean.
I have been in such a season lately. Everywhere I look I am reminded of what I want most in life- second to my Savior. When I see a husband embracing his wife, my heart aches to be held by the man I will love one day. I see children running around and think of the ones I want to have. Every part of me wants to hold a baby of my own and to know the experience of pregnancy and birth. I dream of being Mrs. So and So and having a life with that man. When I have rough days, my whole being longs to share those days with that special man and to share in his bad days too.
But, you know, I am learning some very important truths of life. First of all, marriage cannot be our number one goal in life. When everything about us is so consumed with getting married and we lose sight of the importance of our now, then when we finally do exchange vows, the happily ever after will be a real eye opener.
I know it is not easy when you have chosen the road to waiting and purity. I personally believe it gets harder when everyone around us is headed to marital bliss, leaving us behind. Right now, I have family members and most of my friends who have already married, are engaged, or probably will be soon. Some of them are younger than me. While I am very happy for these dear friends, a little pain comes up in my heart. Then I look at my age and panic sets in. Oh, God, have you overlooked me? Where is such joy to be had in my life?
Girls, for those of you who are experiencing these fears, let me encourage you and share with you my pain. We will never be truly happy with marriage if we lose sight of the big picture and fail to realize that it takes work, just the same as everything else. Our lives must not be centered around a man, but on Jesus. He has to be the center of our lives.
While marriage is honorable and something to look forward to- it cannot be our ultimate goal. There is only one thing that should be our ultimate goal- living a life of purpose for Jesus Christ and making Him our number one love.
Ladies, we need to set our eyes on the One that is holding His arms out to us; the one who is here with us to share in our joys and pains, to listen and give advice when we need it. He is and will always be right here with us, even when people around us (including future husbands) fail us and let us down.
Jesus, you are the lover of my soul. Making Jesus our all in all doesn’t mean that our hearts won’t ache for the future. But, it does mean that we will have someone to see us through these times and make our lives worth living.
Jesus, you are the lover of my soul! No matter what life may bring, I know you will always be there. I could live without a husband, but I can’t live without you!
Your fellow soldier,
Anna Ruth
