Aaand let's just woah a minute, and pause right here. I'm twenty. I'm single. I ain't thinking about my own marriage-that-doesn't-even-yet-exist, but rather the concept of marriage in general.
And relationships.
I'm gonna branch out on a limb here and make the bold statement that I think we have our priorities out of whack. We focus too much on looks.
We want a guy (or girl) who's all muscle-y and buff (or real skinny). We want someone who has bright eyes, a handsome (or pretty) face, straight white teeth, and a jawline that can cut diamonds.
But is that really practical?
In the end, if you look great and sound great and act great but you don't know Jesus, who cares?
Fo' real people. We ourselves need to be focused on Jesus, and when looking for a life partner, at the top of our list it should say "Someone who wholeheartedly loves Jesus and is seeking to bring Him glory." (And yes, I'll admit that I actually have a written list. Don't hate.)
As the Bible says in Isaiah 40:8:
"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever."The point of this verse is that everything in this life is temporary. Except for the Word of God. This means that when that handsome or pretty face is wrinkled and weathered and potentially not as pretty as it once was, and that jawline is dull and no longer capable of cutting diamonds, what are you left with?
Are you left with someone who is continuing to lead you towards Christ? Someone who is honest? Living their life with integrity? Still seeking after God and striving to do what pleases Him most?
If you think the answer to those questions has the strong potential to be "no", it may be necessary for you to re-think your spousal priorities. And I'm guilty of this too (otherwise, how would I have had this realization?). I'm preachin to the choir... I think that means I'm preaching to myself. If it doesn't, I'm preaching to myself as much as I'm preaching to whoever is out there reading this.
Now this isn't to say that physical attraction isn't important. Because it is. However, it becomes dangerous when outward appearance becomes our top priority when searching for a life partner. But honey, if he looks great, loves you, and ultimately loves Jesus, then congratulations! You are one #blessed woman.
I've always loved this quote by Matt Chandler, so let me end with it:
"Can I say something to young ladies here? I'm trying to pick my words carefully. Your husband, whoever he is, single ladies, will have an unbelievable amount of influence over your sons and daughters in regards to spiritual things. If you want your children to love Jesus deeply, hold out for a man that is godly. And let me tell you this: I am well aware that godly men are rare. Lots of neat Christian boys, not a lot of godly men. But don't settle, because it's better that you be lonely now than you be married and lonely later. Are you tracking with me? It is better that you be lonely now than for you to get married to a man that will teach your kids everything but the way of Jesus."Our looks will wither and fade, just like the grass and the flowers, so find yourself a spouse whose love for the Lord our God will stand forever.
Post a Comment