The following is a guest post by Alli Miller
This post will lead to your happily ever after.
It won’t tell you how to get married though. It has exactly zero suggestions on a scientific algorithm for a godly man to pursue you. The top tips to begin a path towards a marriage relationship aren’t in here either. But it will tell you about the Man that completes you.
Let’s begin with an assumption I’ve made about you.
You already love Jesus or are interested in knowing more about Him. Good for you! Do your homework. Learn everything you can about a boy, within reason, before beginning a relationship.
If you’re a Christian, we’re family! Consider this a sisterly chat over our mutual singleness.
I yearn to speak hope through the experiential lens of one inching closer to 40 than 30 this year. The means of staying sane and leveraging this single season for my good and His glory can be summed up in one verse…
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 ESV
Ephesians 2:10 can be an anchor that holds through the waves of self-pity, insecurity, comparison, anger, and bitterness that come with sailing the S.S. Singleness.
Ephesians is an epistle, a letter, to the church at Ephesus. Ephesians covers a multitude of relationship wisdom. Whether that’s the relationship between humanity and God, husbands and wives, parents and children, or an individual’s walk with Him.
For today’s encouragement, let’s drill down into this verse in regards to our singleness.
For we are His workmanship battles the lies we’re bombarded with and sometimes whisper to ourselves. You, me, every human ever is an image-bearer of God. In Genesis 2, the original language says you were “built” by God. It’s also mentioned in Psalm 139:13-14 and Jeremiah 1:5. When the Bible repeats, He’s trying to make a point. You are literally made of His fingerprints! Walk in that whether or not there’s a wedding ring on your hand.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus is similar to the first part, but name drops the Greatest Person who ever was or will be. Genesis 1:26 uses the personal pronoun “us” to explain how humanity came to be. The Holy Trinity was involved in your becoming. They all got together and made a plan. And that plan was you.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works speaks to the “why” of you being born here and now. You were meant to do good works. Synonyms for “good” are exceptional, superb, wonderful. You are here, intentionally, to do incredible things.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand reflects that throughout your life, God has had ideas for you. Random is not God’s modus operandi. He doesn’t “wing it.” Isn’t is a balm to realize every aspect of your life is under His sovereignty? Your relationship status is firmly and joyfully covered under HIs authority.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. It’s breathtaking to know He doesn’t force His love on us. The God of the Universe offers His heart. Every season has things He wants to invite you into; it’s your decision to walk in them.
How do we apply a Bible verse penned thousands of years ago to our lives now?
Here are a few offerings. Albeit, not an exhaustive list, but a starting point. God has gifted you with something particular to you. You have a superpower. I don’t know what it is, but I know He wants you to use it to further His kingdom. You blossom in your gifts the more you use them, and the Church is an excellent training ground for honing your skills. Root yourself in your local church. Walking in a church community also provides covering and gives others an opportunity to walk alongside you. Love and be loved there.
Be thankful for this season.
1 Corinthians 7:32-34 teaches, in marriage, the heart is pulled in multiple directions. For every unmarried Christian, our hearts are singularly drawn to the things of the Lord. Fan a desire for Him so whether or not He ever calls us to marriage, we will have had the luxury of being alone with Him. No one has ever regret time spent with the Almighty. Soak it up.
Grow in your faith.
Participate in the spiritual disciplines. Dive deep and often into His word. Pray. Worship. Mature. Your relationship with Jesus is the most important relationship you’ll have so choose to be active in it. Learn His ways, know His voice, and over time you’ll look more and more like Him. We tend to become the things we love.
Make every effort to be obedient.
Pour yourself out. Do the hard and easy things God asks of you. You may not think what you do and say has an impact, but it does. Every person on this planet who has chosen Christ has become a city on a hill. People are watching. Make sure they see Jesus when they see you.
Walk in truth.
Jesus can never be your boyfriend because they are temporary. A boyfriend either becomes a husband or a guy you once knew. The minute you were made a Christian, Jesus didn’t become your boyfriend, He became something far better.
He became your Redeemer. And in redeeming you, He’s completed you.
He’s your Savior, Wonderful Counselor, Friend, Prince of Peace, Brother, the list goes on. This Man, the Word made flesh, the Son of God, asks you to walk with Him in the highest calling. It’s the very same calling married people have. Every one of us is called to point people to a relationship with Him.
Our God is gracious.
All things, including one’s relationship status, are meant for purposes that reach far beyond ourselves and echo into eternity.
Married or unmarried, you are not less, you are lovely. Today, and all the days following, you lack no good thing in Christ. Run confidently and completely into this life with Him.
Alli Miller is an unmarried follower of the World’s Best Bachelor. She’s also an author and teacher who loves turning pages, learning more about our Living Hope, laughing lines, and serving in her local church body. Her heart is for helping people recognize God is for them. Here latest book release, Converge with God: A Devotional Experience through the Old Testament, hit #9 on Amazon’s Hot New Releases in Christian Devotionals. Grab a copy of hit here, and say hello over on Instagram @allimillerwrote.
Tiffany
I’m in my twenties and reading this was a blessing. Two things you stated, “we tend to become the things we love” and a boyfriend is temporary, were eye-opening and convicting for me. Thank you so much for sharing!