By ANNIE WESCHE
Faith is not faith unless it is tested. And the single woman who entrusts her future love story to God certainly has before her a mighty test of faith, especially in our world today. As the years of singleness follow one after the other, will she choose to turn to the world’s pattern or will she stand unwaveringly, trusting in her God?
When I was thirteen years old, I hired Almighty God as my matchmaker. I had fallen in love with Jesus and surrendered my whole life over to Him. As my eyes filled with the majesty of who God was — His wisdom, grace, love, authority, and trustworthiness — it was clear to my heart and soul that there was no one better, or more worthy, to choose my husband.
Now that I’ve entered my 30’s, I’ve had a good many offers to be set-up, listened to passionate pep-talks on why I should “get out there,” and been challenged again and again on my position to wait upon God to lead me to my future husband, rather than follow the world’s pattern of dating. And the older I get, the longer I’m single, these critics and challengers appear to be right. But all of this has only pressed me to become more clear and confident in my position, by God’s grace, to wait upon Him.
I recently heard a radio ad for a popular Christian match-making service that opened with the line, “Let’s talk about you for a minute.” My spirit tossed a red flag onto the field as the ad went on to rave about their high success rate and ended with an invitation to “entrust this sacred task” to a company with such a great track record. I was shocked, grieved, and, I’ll admit, a bit angry.
You see, I know the tenderness of this issue emotionally. I long for marriage and family one day and have brought this desire and hope to the feet of Jesus many times. What made me angry was how directly opposed their message was to the way Christ calls us to live. About me? The Word of God tells us, “…you are not your own … for you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:19). Entrust this sacred task to a company? God has commanded us to follow Him and promised that He will lead and guide our life. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you” (Ps. 32:8 ESV). He’s promised that He will supply everything we need. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).
The world looks at singleness as a dilemma to be fixed. But if we live by faith in the Son of God, and get to know Him, we find that He is undeniably a God of purpose with rich plans for every single day of our lives. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). This is our promise and reality while we are single or married.
Truth time — it’s not about us. Our lives, every part of our lives, is about showcasing the Life of Jesus Christ, bringing glory to God the Father. Do not be swayed because of fear. Do not take the bait of the world, and doubt God’s power or His faithfulness. Press on to know Your Jesus and You will find strength and confidence there. In all my waiting and trusting, I’ve fallen more in love with the One I’ve put my trust in. And He unfailingly gives greater grace, increases my faith, and continues to lead me in the certainty that waiting upon Him will never, ever be in vain. Waiting upon Him in continual trust and surrender has also produced in my life an unshakable, irreplaceable joy!
Beautiful love stories that last are God’s business. He’s been loving you with the most perfect, extraordinary, breathtaking, selfless love from before He even created you. And He’s the original Matchmaker, truly worthy of all our trust.
Let us trust in the Lord with ALL our heart, leaning not on our own understanding (or the world’s), but in every area of our lives — including singleness — acknowledge who He is, and trust that He will direct our life. And listen to this beautiful promise: “The Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Ps. 84:11 NASB). There is no one else I would ever want to entrust this sacred task to than to Him.
