The Bar Only Gets Higher...

Raise the bar

You would think that the longer I’m single, that I would lower the standards a little bit and settle on some accord. But no, the bar only goes up. The longer I’m single and spend time with Jesus and fall in love with Him more and more every day, the more His word convicts my heart to wait for a truly God-honoring man that is equally yoked in faith. The Bible says, “Do not be unequally yoked or bound together” in 2 Corinthians 6:14. And what I find most attractive in a man and a partner, is someone that is rock solid in his faith and practices what he preaches, and goes to God with any problems, not the world.

I went on a few dates with someone who was a “Christian,” but I could tell right away, even beyond the weak responses back when asking about his faith, that he didn’t really follow Jesus and it showed in how he lived his life and treated me. I even asked what made him want to start going to church if he didn’t grow up going and his response was to find a good girl and liked the way church made him feel. But no real depth to his faith or desire to know Jesus. And it showed in all the chasing of his life. And it ultimately wasn’t what either of us was looking for.

Now I’m not looking for perfection by any means as I’m always learning and growing in my faith, but just someone who wants to grow together in Christ every day. Someone that is humble enough to want to work on themselves with God to heal and work through issues. Someone that tries to be kind, loving, supportive, and forgiving and someone that asks for forgiveness when needed. It goes beyond the hour in church on Sundays, but seeks God and His heart to love and lead his family better. We are to “Love the Lord Your God will all your heart, with all your soul, and all your mind” Matthew 22:37. And until that man comes along, I don't want to entertain a man who isn’t after the same things and on the same page. A faith alignment is the biggest thing I’m seeking.

Jesus is our 1st Love

And of course, with my age only going up, my flesh says hurry. But I’d rather be in the right relationship and wait for what God has in store for me, than to settle for less than God’s best. I try not to let the anxious thoughts take over and have to pray about that all the time as life alone is hard. But God knows what I need and I trust Him with every detail. My mantra I pray over myself everyday is Proverbs 31:25, “She is clothed in strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future.” I stand tall and see myself confident and at ease for what the Jesus has in store for me. And I remind myself, “At the appointed time, I the Lord will make it happen” Isaiah 60:22. Another verse that keeps coming up is, “God will keep in perfect and constant peace those whose mind is steadfast on Him” Isaiah 26:3, as I continue to wait.

I also want to be the woman, some man has prayed for, so it’s been even more submitting to God, purging anything that is not of God, and filling my cup with all His goodness, fruits of the spirit and repenting of ways, attitudes, thoughts, or comments that don’t align with God’s word. And truly letting the Holy Spirit lead and guide everyday and every step. We are to focus on “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, what is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, worthy of praise, think continually on these things” Philippians 4:8. And the Bible also says to “Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ,” in 2 Corinthians 10:5. Pruning the old and stepping into the new can be painful, lonely, and a little scary, but it leads to a deeper wisdom of Jesus, deeper faith, and deeper walk with God. “Put off your old self and be continually renewed in the spirit and put on the new self, created in God’s image.” Ephesians 4:22-23

I have had to wait more than most, but I know God will honor my future marriage when I’m fully serving Him and submitting to His ways and I look forward to what God has for me and I’ll go wherever He leads.

“My daughter, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commandments in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faith-fullness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of you heart. You will have a good name in the sight of the Lord.” Proverbs 3: 1-4

“Daughter, your faith has restored you. Go in peace.” Mark 5 :34