Ephesians 4:22-24(NLT)
“22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”
My friend Brian met his new girlfriend four months ago. He met her through a mutual friend, and they have been inseparable since their first date. His first marriage ended fifteen years ago, and after a series of failed relationships, he said he believes he’s finally met the woman that reciprocates the kind of love he gives.
As I listened to my friend, I was reminded of the happiness a person experiences from a relationship that is new and appears to be heading in the right direction. I couldn’t help but identify with those feelings, and it makes me excited about the possibilities the future holds. It also reminded me of the choice that we are forced to make about how we view being single in this season. We can be continually stoked about what God is doing, even though we don’t yet see the details of His handiwork; or, we can be disappointed and sad because everything isn’t happening on our own timetables.
Most of us have been on the downside before. We’ve been in relationships we hoped would work out, but the person doesn’t honor and return the kind of love we’re giving. We shouldn’t allow this disappointment to soil the hopefulness and faith that is required to see our dreams manifest. Instead, we must be even more tenacious when it comes to confessing and believing the promises of God. And we must also be committed to learn the lessons of God’s love that all disappointments will teach us.
In many cases, instead of learning to walk in spiritual maturity in a greater way, and moving forward and upward, many of us, both men and women, will try to hold on to a relationship that’s not working for us. Even though it’s the wrong person, we don’t want to experience the pain of yet another disappointment, so we cling to what we’ve got because we have a fear of letting another relationship fall out of our hands. The danger in clinging to something that isn’t working for us is that it sends the wrong message about our faith. To give any relationship a fighting chance, it can’t be built on a rocky foundation. It can’t be built on fear, doubt, or desperation. So, as singles determined to receive what God has for us, we’ve got to be patient so that we can present a love that is wrapped in faith, and we can then receive this same kind of love in return.
Your love is being groomed. You are being prepared in a way that helps you fully surrender to the Spirit. Then he can flood your life with renewal continually. Ephesians 4:22-24 tells us to throw off the former way of life. We are to let go of our doubtful thoughts and attitudes and put on our new nature. This new nature carves out the highest level of love of which you and I are capable—it’s a Christ-kind of love, and it draws blessings and people across our paths. God tells us in Isaiah 55:11(NLT), “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” Well, God’s love is just like His Word. When it goes forth in purity and conviction, it accomplishes what God wants it to accomplish. God’s love always hits its target.
God’s love is what makes everything we desire possible, and this is why He is working in us this very moment. He is helping us to change our motivation so that it isn’t about having a person in our lives at all cost. Our motivation must be to please God and to operate as purely and authentically as possible through His love. 1Corinthians 4:5(NLT) tells us, “So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.” Heavenly Father examines our motives, and He blesses us according to whether our hearts are truly anchored in pleasing Him.
There is a special kind of person that matches you to the tee. They may not be perfect, which none of us are, but they will equal your capacity to love. You and I can never know the heart of an individual. They may seem to be one thing and turn out to be completely different. Only God knows a person’s heart. He is always and forever in control, and He knows who and what is best for our lives. Our happiness is very important to God, and He knows how to reward us and supply our needs. Let’s trust in Him with all our hearts and have confidence that He is doing a work in us that is very necessary, because it is preparing us for His purpose. He’s making sure that when we’re ready, the love we find will match the love we seek. ■
“God’s Love Makes It All Possible” written by Kim Times, edited by Reverend Fran Mack for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2019. 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.