S-T-I-L-L Single
(A post I made almost 6 years ago. Funny how some things are never changed. Let's see how I would feel about this post 10 or 20 years from now!)
What a dreadful word for so many singletons like me, as we are approaching "a condition" where people will look at us with questioning look on their innocent face when we declare sheepishly, "I am single." Being independent, with good career on your side will often makes it worse, let alone if you look good or attractive. Jangan pilih2 semua orang sama saja or jangan keasyikkan kejar karir/urus bisnis, inget2 umur is the most common comments I receive. The last remark I recall is from a friend who's about to get married, warning me not to get too close with my single friends. "Ketularan ngga married nanti!," she said intensely. Great...!!!
It's as if God's noble plan for people, especially women, is only in a marriage.
It's just tiring at times, isn't it? Well, not exactly. We should not wonder to hear such comments from people. For one thing, as a human being we are bound by society's rules like law of Moses to the Israelites before Jesus came to redeem us. But as redeemed children of God, we are bound to the law that has been made perfect by Jesus Christ. A law that frees us. Therefore, despite the needs we have, to live our lives according to His plan will be the perfect contentment for us.
And for the times whenever I'm close to the edge by a request that doesn't seem to get answer for, my rest comes by remembering these:
1. GOD knows all things. How can he not? He's my creator. Before a word is on my tongue he knows it completely. He creates all things and he knows all. What too often for me is a crushing burden is a speck of dust on his scale. Why? Because he knows all. He knows the complete story, how it's going to start and end. What seems a total darkness to me will not be so if I see it from his eyes.
2. GOD wills things for my goodness. He cares for me. I am not created to be destroyed. I am created to be loved unconditionally by him. His divine plan is for me to receive that love. When we love someone, we will want to give them the best. If we, human can do it that way, how much more would my Heavenly Father do for me? He's not a judge who forces me into following him blindly, makes me spineless in saying, "It is the Lord's will." He's a Father who wills the best for his children. Why? Because he loves me. Period.
3. GOD is in control. He, who knows all things and loves me so, has such great power I can't never understand. Even out of the painful circumstances I face, he is working for the good of us who have been called according to His purpose. I can find rest in knowing that as much as my future is unknown by my narrow-minded mind, but I know who is in control and holds my future.
And for those who have tried to make an agreement with God regarding their singleness, here are some uplifting remarks:
I've never made a deal with God regarding my singleness; I don't think that's what he wants me to do! Plus it sounds really desperate. In addition, I'm not comfortable with this kind of deal because it implies that having a spouse is the most important thing and that everything else comes second, including God and his agenda.
God tells us to seek after him and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33), and when we put God's agendas first, everything else, including a spouse, will be given to us in his time. So why get preoccupied with finding "the one" when we should be preoccupied with what God wants to do in us and through us? I think it all comes down to our priorities.
God is never late. He could be late in the eyes of the world, but not from a heavenly point of view. Remember, Lazarus' sisters thought Jesus was four days late when their brother passed away before Jesus could come pray for him (John 11). But in reality, he was right on time for God's higher purposes!
Eunice
______________________________
It isn't in God's interest to make deals. He knows we are all fallen manipulators who seldom keep our side of the bargain. I think the right course is boldly asking him for divine assistance in finding a mate and then doing our part by joyfully trusting him to do the work.
I've been single five years. I went through the desperation period and finally got to the I'm-okay-just-where-I-am time in my life, fervently praying that God would provide the mate he wants for me to fulfill my needs.
God created me, so he knows best what I need as opposed to what I think I need. I prayed for a good, godly man who would love and cherish me the way God intended in accordance with his Word. I recently got engaged to such a man.
Deborah
______________________________
I don't think it's right for us to test God about giving us a mate. One of the big beliefs missing from much of Christian teaching today is that of God's sovereignty. If it's his desire that we marry someday, it will occur according to his timing and he will lead us in that path.
So many people think they are the ones in control and resort to tactics such as making a deal with God because they won't rest in faith about this important matter.
As for couples who say they used methods such as making a bold request of God to receive a mate—perhaps God already was leading them in the right path and had prepared them to meet the person he had in mind for them.
Pamela
______________________________
So singletons, let's find restful confidence by always turn to our Lord in this cherished single life!!! For now, I just need to remind my dear mom that maybe instead of desperately asking God to give spouses for her children, we'd better pray that His divine plan will be accomplished in them = D ..... Rise up and be strong singletons, the Lord God is truly on your side!
in His love,
avichayil
It's as if God's noble plan for people, especially women, is only in a marriage.
It's just tiring at times, isn't it? Well, not exactly. We should not wonder to hear such comments from people. For one thing, as a human being we are bound by society's rules like law of Moses to the Israelites before Jesus came to redeem us. But as redeemed children of God, we are bound to the law that has been made perfect by Jesus Christ. A law that frees us. Therefore, despite the needs we have, to live our lives according to His plan will be the perfect contentment for us.
And for the times whenever I'm close to the edge by a request that doesn't seem to get answer for, my rest comes by remembering these:
1. GOD knows all things. How can he not? He's my creator. Before a word is on my tongue he knows it completely. He creates all things and he knows all. What too often for me is a crushing burden is a speck of dust on his scale. Why? Because he knows all. He knows the complete story, how it's going to start and end. What seems a total darkness to me will not be so if I see it from his eyes.
2. GOD wills things for my goodness. He cares for me. I am not created to be destroyed. I am created to be loved unconditionally by him. His divine plan is for me to receive that love. When we love someone, we will want to give them the best. If we, human can do it that way, how much more would my Heavenly Father do for me? He's not a judge who forces me into following him blindly, makes me spineless in saying, "It is the Lord's will." He's a Father who wills the best for his children. Why? Because he loves me. Period.
3. GOD is in control. He, who knows all things and loves me so, has such great power I can't never understand. Even out of the painful circumstances I face, he is working for the good of us who have been called according to His purpose. I can find rest in knowing that as much as my future is unknown by my narrow-minded mind, but I know who is in control and holds my future.
And for those who have tried to make an agreement with God regarding their singleness, here are some uplifting remarks:
I've never made a deal with God regarding my singleness; I don't think that's what he wants me to do! Plus it sounds really desperate. In addition, I'm not comfortable with this kind of deal because it implies that having a spouse is the most important thing and that everything else comes second, including God and his agenda.
God tells us to seek after him and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33), and when we put God's agendas first, everything else, including a spouse, will be given to us in his time. So why get preoccupied with finding "the one" when we should be preoccupied with what God wants to do in us and through us? I think it all comes down to our priorities.
God is never late. He could be late in the eyes of the world, but not from a heavenly point of view. Remember, Lazarus' sisters thought Jesus was four days late when their brother passed away before Jesus could come pray for him (John 11). But in reality, he was right on time for God's higher purposes!
Eunice
______________________________
It isn't in God's interest to make deals. He knows we are all fallen manipulators who seldom keep our side of the bargain. I think the right course is boldly asking him for divine assistance in finding a mate and then doing our part by joyfully trusting him to do the work.
I've been single five years. I went through the desperation period and finally got to the I'm-okay-just-where-I-am time in my life, fervently praying that God would provide the mate he wants for me to fulfill my needs.
God created me, so he knows best what I need as opposed to what I think I need. I prayed for a good, godly man who would love and cherish me the way God intended in accordance with his Word. I recently got engaged to such a man.
Deborah
______________________________
I don't think it's right for us to test God about giving us a mate. One of the big beliefs missing from much of Christian teaching today is that of God's sovereignty. If it's his desire that we marry someday, it will occur according to his timing and he will lead us in that path.
So many people think they are the ones in control and resort to tactics such as making a deal with God because they won't rest in faith about this important matter.
As for couples who say they used methods such as making a bold request of God to receive a mate—perhaps God already was leading them in the right path and had prepared them to meet the person he had in mind for them.
Pamela
______________________________
So singletons, let's find restful confidence by always turn to our Lord in this cherished single life!!! For now, I just need to remind my dear mom that maybe instead of desperately asking God to give spouses for her children, we'd better pray that His divine plan will be accomplished in them = D ..... Rise up and be strong singletons, the Lord God is truly on your side!
in His love,
avichayil
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