A heart for God alone

This morning I was thinking about the single women in my life. I am sure that our church is not the exception, but we have quite a few of single women of various ages. They are single for various reasons. Why they are single is not the issue, how do I serve them? How do I serve them that have children? I must admit that I can not completely identify with them, because I have never been single. Even during the very short time I was a single mom I lived with my parents. But as I prayed that God would give me a greater understanding for the single women and single moms I realized that we, as women, do struggle with many of the same things. So while I may not understand the loneliness and sometimes isolation exactly the way a single woman does, I can sometimes feel that way as a married woman. I too can fall into believing the lie that my happiness or joy can be found in a husband, children or even that "kindred spirit" we might long to have.

The truth of God's word is the same whether we are married or single. There is no one person who will meet your deepest needs the way Jesus can. No one whether married or single will be truly happy apart from God.

James 1:16-17 reminds us to not be deceived and to remember that every good and
perfect gift comes from God.

Psalms 62 verses 1-2, 5-8 reminds us "My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken. ...My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.

An author I am currently reading has this to say

"The truth is that marriage is good and right, that it is God's plan for most people, and that there can (and ought to) be great joy and blessing in the context of a God-centered marriage. Satan twist the Truth about marriage by suggesting to women that the purpose of marriage is personal happiness and fulfillment, and that they cannot be truly happy without a husband to love them and meet their needs."

Once we have a husband many of us begin to believe a variation of this lie "My husband is suppose to make me happy." I've been married for almost 24 years and I can tell you that this is so easy to believe. Our marriages and our singleness could be healthier and more joy fulfilled if we truly understood and then walked in the truth that it is God alone that we need. It is when we "Delight yourself in the LORD" that"He will give you the desires of your heart." (Ps 37:4)

I realize that there are those of you, who like me, would say "yes, but I don't believe that lie. I know it's only in God that my happiness is found." But, does your life prove that do don't believe that lie? How do you react when your husband disappoints you? Or not giving you the emotional support you want? How do you respond? In hurt or anger? What about those of you who are single, how do you respond when your girlfriends don't call? Or your children seem to have forgotten you? Any response other than going to Jesus is a response that believes the lie.

Is this hard? Absolutely! There have been those times in the past 24 years that I have thought that my husband should meet all my needs, both physical and emotional. There have also been times when I thought my children would fill the void that often seemed to be there. When both of those failed, as they often do, I began to look to friends. But it wasn't until I understood that it was God alone that could fulfill all my needs that I became healthier spiritually and less self-focused on my needs and fleshly desires. I have not "arrived" I can still be very selfish when my flesh wages war against what I know God desires of me. I am striving to live a life that goes to God for ALL my needs. I want to be so filled with Christ that I am overflowing. I want to be so full of His love that I will not feel as if I need to go anywhere else to be filled.

I want to be filled to over-flowing to the point that the love of Christ pours out of me! If we all desired this wouldn't our marriages be healthier? Wouldn't we all be spiritually healthier, whether single or married? Understand though, it is a life long battle.