Feb 05, 2008 23:18
I got strong applause for this where I posted it originally (forum), so I thought I ought to preserve it here for posterior.
In reply to:
"I think I can also serve God better when I am in a relationship because I wouldn't be so distracted. Let's face it, most of us who are single and have a strong desire to be married are quite distracted by this desire."
I said:
I agree, and I don't think that this is (adds qualifier before people jump on him) necessarily and indication that a single person doesn't have a heart devoted to God, isn't looking at God, isn't trusting God to provide a mate, isn't content as Paul says we all should be in whatever our situation is.
I believe God gives us heart desires, things we want and can't simply decide not to want. (I used to talk about a certain video game I wanted so bad I could smell it, and how that was a desire I could simply shrug my shoulders and change my mind about wanting; not a heart desire) And since these desires of the heart are from God, they are not sinful, so I'd like people to stop telling singles that they are. When a heart desire is about doing mission work, we refer to it as a calling, but if that heart desire is to build a healthy family with God at the center and hope for the blessing of children, we don't. Very often, people don't consider there to be any possible connection between "I want to go overseas and improve community healthcare" and "I want to be a good spouse and parent, but I'm single right now".
Let me be clear: Not everyone who wants to get married has a heart desire for it, so I'm not simply excusing every want. I'm saying it is foolish for anyone do dismiss out of hand any movement in the direction of seeking a spouse.
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