You have to read the entire post to understand the title. HA! Fooled you into reading this whole thing, but also it's about love so you were probably going to read it anyway. Seriously? A dating post?! Yes, that's right. A dating post. "What are you thinking," you may be asking yourself. "What am I thinking," is what I also asked myself. Well, I tell you, after an entire semester of sermons geared toward dating and, quite frankly just being alive, I've heard a lot about relationships. "You don't need to be in a relationship to be happy." "The right one will come along." "Maybe you have the gift of singleness." BLAH BLAH BLAH. Tonight I went to church for our college night. In light of the upcoming holiday, on which we are either doused in love or loneliness, we enjoyed hearing from a panel of experts (our pastor, his wife, and other couples on staff) about love and marriage. I thought to myself, "Self, I think you should go to this, because maybe they have some good insights you haven't heard before." I also, in pessimistic skepticism, thought "oh, just one more love talk. I needeth not attend this, as it will surely slap me in the face once more." To avoid all suspense, it was not just another love talk. Well, technically it was, but it hit home above all others I've heard thus far. Maybe it just took the 174th time of hearing this stuff, but I think I finally get it. The only thing that could even possibly come CLOSE to satisfying me fully is a relationship with Jesus Christ. There is absolutely nothing on the planet, not any object, not one person, not a feeling, an opportunity, achievement, or earning that can give me that which only Christ Jesus can provide. It's been said many times before that there is a whole the size of Texas in each of our hearts. It just so happens to be God-shaped. Sometimes we are unaware that it's even there until it is so mercifully and graciously filled to the brim with the precious love of Jesus. (Fill Me Up-United Pursuit Band, LISTEN NOW) Once you are quenched by the Spirit, you can only recede in fulfillment from that point forward, because nothing else is going to touch it. Pastor J.D. Greear said tonight that he regretfully always seems to be unsatisfied with the stage of life he is in, waiting for what he will receive in the next one. Singleness is a beautiful stage in life in which we are able to grow individually toward God, not having to worry about that guy or that girl, also trying to grow toward the Lord. Yes, there will be (if God has willed) a time where you will be growing side by side with another human being. But it is not the same. It's probably not quite as sweet. I mean Paul tells us that singleness* is a beautiful thing that is truly a gift form God. Jesus was single and look how much he was able to advance the Kingdom. (Okay, I know he was God and all, but if he was married he would have had to worry about making His wife feel pretty or something silly like that.) All I'm saying, and I'm preaching to myself too, is to be content in where you are right now. Once you are in a relationship, married, whatever... you may never have the opportunity to serve the Lord in this capacity. Take advantage of this time and be content in where Jesus has you in life. One final point--Our greatest desire as humans is to know and be known. My thoughts on this are as follows: Jesus knows us completely. He loves us more than anyone else ever could. He thinks you are more beautiful than anyone else on Earth does (and he sees these awfully disgusting hearts of ours). He does not see us defined by our sins, but rather as the beautiful creatures He gave us the potential to be. He thinks we are as beautiful now as the day we will be upon our completion. How, I do not know, but I've learned not to question the unconditional love of my savior and just accept it. So, those of you struggling with this upcoming "holiday" know that you are loved, you are beautiful, and just be content in living life now, right where you are.
*singleness: I am referring to the gift of singleness in this context as not The Gift of singleness, but rather the gift of singleness. See below:
the gift of singleness: the state of temporarily being single; this stage of life in which you are single
The Gift of singleness: forever without a lover, aside from Jesus the lover of my soul, that is
Lots and lots and lots of love (to get you through Tuesday),
Kaylee
