Valentine’s Day can be difficult if you’re single … but learning the keys to romantic fulfillment is a beautiful and necessary lesson at any season of life — single or married. Listen as Leslie shares how true fulfillment doesn’t come from fighting for our rights, but in laying them down. Be encouraged with three keys that can lead you to finding complete satisfaction in Christ alone!
PODCAST TRANSCRIPT
Whatever your plans for Valentine’s Day might include our culture typically looks at February 14th as an excuse to either take control to get what we want, or give in to the voice of self-pity. Whether you’re single, in a relationship, or married the key to romantic fulfillment doesn’t come from fighting for our rights, but in laying them down. Each of us are called to live a life of surrender, and it is at this point that God can outline His plan for our life and place His desires within our heart to fulfill them perfectly in His time and way.
“’My hopes painted beautiful pictures, but they are fading one by one’ … the Father said, ‘…I will give you other pictures instead of those that your hopes painted.’” Amy Carmichael
This powerful quote reminds us that God’s plans for each of us are far beyond the hopes that we can paint in our minds or lives. And until we lay those down at His feet, we can never experience His best in this area of our life. Remember, the Lord will perform His absolute best in your life as you place your full trust in His plan!
Keys to Keeping a Surrendered Heart
Keep Your Priorities Straight
God reminds us in Luke 12:46 not to place anything above Jesus Christ, even the good and perfect gifts He gives (i.e. spouse, family, career, etc.). Anything in our life that takes a higher place than Jesus Christ can easily become a form of idolatry in our life — and the same is true of the hope of a relationship, or the gift or marriage and family. It can be easy not only to idolize but to idealize love during our single years. Refrain from taking the bait to build your thoughts, emotions, and daily decisions around the pursuit of a relationship or the dream of “someday…” Instead, build your life around the statement that only Jesus can meet the deepest needs and desires of your heart. Idolizing love and relationships is not realistic and can cause us to put unhealthy expectations on our future marriage partner in addition to keeping us from finding perfect satisfaction in Jesus Christ.
It’s important to mention that the majority of us are indeed called to be married, and so it’s not wrong to prepare or take steps forward toward a romantic relationship as God leads. The problems arise when we place our expectations on a pedestal rather than anchoring our security first and foremost from Jesus Christ.
Remember Who Christ Is
If only Jesus can meet all of the needs of our heart, we must remember who He is and meditate upon Him often. When we do, we will be equipped with a mindset, supernatural strength, and enabling grace to surrender those who are closest to us to be used for God’s glory rather than our own comfort or gain. Elisabeth Elliot, Sabina Wurmbrand, and Corrie ten Boom were women of great faith who exemplified this in how they surrendered their husbands and families in order for God to get greater glory.
The glory of God should mean more to us than our own comfort, home, family, and lives. Ask God to change your heart if you notice a tendency to clutch tightly onto what He has given. Freshly surrender this area of your life to Him and remember where the deepest source of fulfillment is found.
Receive Loneliness as a Gift
Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to turn our gaze from what we don’t have or are waiting for to the One that we can enjoy each and every day of the year. Remember that God has tremendous purpose for the lonely seasons of our lives!
Lessons from Loneliness:
- Loneliness is a required course for leadership.
- Learn to lean on Christ and not what others think of you.
- Solitary seasons teach us complete fulfillment in Christ.
- Loneliness teaches us to go to the right Source for strength.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Whether you’re single or married this Valentine’s Day, remember that the God of the Universe has a special blessing that is waiting for you. It is the gift of Himself! It will not be not found in a romantic card, heart-shaped box, or placed in a chick flick, rather it is found in sitting at His feet and receiving all that He is!
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Eric and Leslie Ludy’s relationships courses are available for a limited time only at special prices. Visit us to learn more!
