Sometimes life can seem a bit like a treasure hunt with clues. You begin the hunt by crossing the path of someone you were destined to meet. Usually, this is not the partnership connection you were praying to make. Instead, it is an opportunity for you to sow into someone’s life. Once you’ve done this, once you’ve demonstrated the love of God in a way that blesses the person, the door to the next blessing for you suddenly appears. Still, it may not be the connection you hope to make, but it will keep you on the path that leads to it. The piece of knowledge every single woman needs to know is that the hunt—the sowing part of the journey—is just as important to God for you to fulfill as meeting the man that is your ultimate treasure.
The Test
2Corinthians 13:5 tells us, “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.” This should be common practice in every Christian’s life, because sometimes we’re operating outside of faith when we think we’re operating in it. The Apostle Paul said, “Test yourselves.” This means that we have to look at our willingness to exhibit the same level of love that Christ exhibited. As women, we can become so caught up in our desire to be married, that we forget to see men as folks that also need a witness. They need to see the love of God demonstrated without the trappings of attraction or the lack thereof.
Colossians 4:5-6(NLT) tells us, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” This verse was heavy on my mind as I thought about a gentleman I know. He was goo-goo-gaga for a woman that didn’t share the same feelings for him. She’s a Christian woman but left no lasting imprint of it on him. We don’t have to be attracted to someone to show them the love of God. Colossians 4:5-6 instructs us about the attitude and manner that God expects from us. We must be oh so careful not to leave a poor witness, or to miss an opportunity to share the Good News about our Savior’s love. Yes, it is a fine line sometimes, but as God’s wise and careful ambassadors for Christ, we should know how to walk it.
We could be the last chance a person has to change their lives for the better and make Christ the center of their existence. You and I are sent to bear witness of the Savior’s love. It’s not all about looking cute or ascertaining whether the person will become a permanent fixture. Jesus Christ said in John 15:16(NLT), “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” You and I have been appointed by Christ to go and bear fruit. How serious are you about your appointment? We need to give this some thought, because our conviction to the call is going to be tested. Some of us are so consumed with wanting to get married that we’re neglecting our responsibility to bear fruit. There should be hard evidence that you have demonstrated the faith to bear fruit, and the commitment to do so should come before your expectation of marriage. Responsibility will always come before reward.
God desires that we go into marriage solidly engaged in our purpose before we ever meet the man we’re going to marry. This is especially important today, because the roles of men and women are not nearly as defined as they once were, and communication about God’s requirement in the marriage, and how to meet it, is often missed. We’re struggling to understand and appreciate one another, still. So we come to the table, and do so with some of the most important wisdom and knowledge being unspoken and unlearned. We figure a lot of this out as we continue the partnership, but in order to do it, our purpose in the Will of God cannot be ambiguous, because it is the thing that continually binds us to Christ.
Hope is a magnet
1Peter 3:15(NKJV) tells us, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” This verse very clearly tells us that some people will be curious about the hope that is in us. Is the hope in you on full display? When you meet a man that clearly doesn’t pull at your heart strings, do you view it as an opportunity to shine the love of Christ? With God, nothing happens by happenstance. There’s a reason for everything under the sun. Always keep in mind that hope is a magnet. Even unknowingly, sometimes people, men too, cross our paths not to pour into us, but to receive the hope that is in our hearts. This is an investment we are destined to make, and it will position us closer to the treasure we desire. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
“The Hope That Is in You” written by Kim Times, edited by Reverend Fran Mack for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2018. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.