Weekend Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Love Sex and Marriage - The Love You're Looking For
This eDevotional was written by a volunteer from Timberlake Church.
Read: Isaiah 42:16; Philippians 4:6-7
Think: The weekend message made me think that most men need to be taught how to love, it’s not necessarily an innate behavior. Looking back at my ‘experience’ I would probably say that is true for me. Here's what I mean:
As a Christian, if you’re dating and searching for the “Love of your life” and basing it all on your hard work, dedication and desire, hate to say it, you’ll probably be unsuccessful. I dated for years visualizing the perfect woman for me and yet couldn’t find her. Ironically, as soon as I said the words, “I am done Lord, this is not working and I am fine with living my life as a single Christian” my wife-to-be was delivered to me out of a friendship.
It reminds me of the verse; “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16
I thought I knew who was best for me – but I didn’t and after 10+ years of trying I didn’t have much to show for my own work. When I gave it to God, I found my spouse after less than a year. As a guy, I have to be honest; I was a little bit like that little kid dreaming about that perfect bride and letting go of this preconceived notion opened my eyes to see who God brought to me. And she was better than what I’d hoped for!
Here are 10 steps for finding a Christian partner I wish I had taken when I was single:
Pray
Be active in a church
Seek Christian friendships through growth groups or ministry teams
Find an outreach program
Leverage Christian online dating services
Talk about faith with friends, neighbors, co-workers
Attend Christ-centered events like Christian concerts or conferences
Be patient
Be confident in being single
Pray again
Do: Embrace your journey! Enjoy the people you meet and know that who you connect with in your dating life, who knows, just may show up at a worship service someday and sit right next to you.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that you would open my heart, my eyes and my mind to the potential suitors that you bring into my life. Let any previous fantasies of my perfect spouse dissipate and provide clarity for who YOU desire for me.