I received an e-mail from a good friend the other day and I was so encouraged with what she said that I just had to share it with all you single ladies out there!! So, be encouraged! :)
"...helping other single young ladies as they wait for either God's man or perfect will for their lives. A quote that a friend of mine told me once -although I know I'm not going to say it exactly accurate so I'll paraphrase- is that, "A woman should be so completely lost in God that a man would have to be completely lost in God to claim her attention." It is something along those lines, but the point is to not focus on getting married or even to be waiting for the right prince to come along, but to solely strive to give God the preeminence in every aspect of life. Yes, most girls desire to be a wife, but even marriage does not satisfy a believer's deepest longing. A lesson that I am still learning is that my first priority -and it should be my first desire- is to glorify my Father. If He decides to bless me beyond my first desire, it is His good pleasure and not my selfish wants. I know that it seems like it must be easy for me to say all this now that I am married, but to be honest, now is when I'm learning these lessons, or should I say - taking them to heart.
If I could challenge young single ladies now that I see the other side of the picture I would say that God created us for His glory and His purpose. I have no right to set my demands before Him, although in His mercy He hears my prayers. Lord, if you want me to be single, I will praise you in awe of your perfect will, and if you want me to be married, I will likewise praise you in awe!
A quote that my previous Sunday school teacher quoted from the book "My Utmost for His Highest" is, "Wait on God and He will work, but don't wait in spiritual sulks because you cannot see an inch in front of you." She also gave us the verse Philippians 4:8 which talks about what we think on. Whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report... these are the things that should occupy my thoughts. There is always a lot of talk about being the Proverbs 31 woman for our future marriage, but does that not also mean that we should strive for that in singleness as well? ... At times it seems like such information can be overwhelming and discouraging (if looked at from the wrong perspective) at the prospect of how far there still is to go, but truly it is a worthy and worth-while goal!"
Thank you Charity! I was so encouraged again as I reread your e-mail. Thank you for letting me post it!
8 comments:
The quote your friend is paraphrasing is "A woman's heart should be so hidden in God that a man must seek him to find her." It's by Elisabeth Eliot.I came across it a while back on a blog.
It shows that to find someone you need to focus on and go through God.It speaks to both males and females.
Robert~
Thank you for telling me about the quote, I thought it sounded familiar, I really enjoy reading Elisabeth Elliot!
And yes, I agree, it can apply to both guys and girls! Thanks for your comment!
On Saturday I was looking in a thrift store and I found two Elisabeth Elliot books.They are Passion and Purity and The Mark of a Man.I've heard about Passsion and Purity on many blogs but I wasn't familiar with the other one.I've started reading The Mark of a Man.
She also has a website at http://www.elisabethelliot.org/ I found it in one of my favourite folders.
Robert~
How happy!! I've read Passion and Purity, I really, really liked it! It's been a while since I've read it, I should read it again. Are you enjoying The Mark of a Man, or haven't you gotten far enough to know? I have never heard of that one so I would be interested in knowing your thoughts onces you know what you think. :)
Thank you, also, for the website! I'll have to check it out!
Ana~
I've looked through Passion and Purity and it looks good.
I'm enjoying The Mark of a Man.The book was written as advice to her nephew Pete.She writes about the traits of true masculinity and the different roles of men and women.
When I finish the book I can post my thoughts on it.
Robert~
Thank you for your thoughts so far, I look forward to see what you thought of the whole book!
Well put charity(I like your name, my daughter's name is charity).
I think Paul said(rough summerization) its better to remain single, because after you're married you have your husband to care for and will be conscerned with how to please him. You will no longer be able to just focus on pleasing God.
I find it true, though while I was single it wasn't until I stopped worring about whether, or when I would be married, and started trusting him with my lifes future, that God put Steve and I together. I've had many things to learn since and he's been very patient in teaching me.
Thankyou for posting that Ana, I enjoyed reading it. It was interesting and food for thought.
Vickie~
Thank you for your comment! I'm glad you were as encouraged as I was with what Charity said!
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