Waiting for a future spouse to show up can be a difficult time. What do you do during that time? Is there a reason for that time? I believe there are.
As difficult as it may be during that time, I believe there are things God wants to work in the hearts of both our future spouse and ourself, in the face of soaring divorce rates, marriage breakdowns and adulteries - personally, I do not want to be part of those statistics.
From a woman's perspective, I would want to marry a man who knows how to treasure me even before we start our courtship. I believe that during this time of waiting, God wants us women to allow Him to work in the heart of our future spouse - that he'll keep his heart for us, work in areas of his character that needs changing, show him the plans and purposes God has for him and how to be a true prince.
God wants to work in our own hearts too. He wants to mould us into women who would see the plans and purposes God has for our husband's life fulfilled. We are to be his helper. God wants to work in our character as well. Most of all, God wants us to fully surrender our lives to Him. If not, we would tend to want things our own way and not learn submission.
He also wants us to do good to our husband all the days of our lives (that includes the time while we're still single). Proverbs 31:12 says, "She does him good and not evil all the days of her life". Hmm...if God aspects this of the wife, I believe it would be the same for the husband as well. Besides, God did tell us to love one another.
What are we to do while wating faithfully?
- Serve the Lord wholeheartedly,
- Pray for our future spouse and ourselves - that we would love God totally, walk in His ways and have the fear of the Lord in our lives. That we would be people of integrity, self-controlled, pure in heart, not given to lust or immorality and flee from temptations. That we have a discerning heart, be sensitive and obedient to God etc.
- Learn how to care for children and cultivate homemaking skills (start now, if you haven't already).
- Most importantly, surrender our whole life to God.
(Do click on the link at the side of the page that features a song called Faithfully. It's a beautiful song.)
