In Response to "Early Marriage"

After reading through the article and discussing the issue with a friend, I've come to realize some strong emotional disappointments we can make about early marriage. The disappointments can be found in those that aren't dating, engaged, married, or even finding a position close to a marriage possibility. Quotes like this can easily discourage single woman:

"Among evangelical churchgoers, there are about three single women for every two single men...God does work miracles. But the fact remains that there just aren't as many serious Christian young men as there are women, and the men know it."

In response to the article, I want to address the Cross and our Lord Jesus Christ. He is our ultimate road map. Here is a passage that describes God's blessing on us.

"Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard....If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make our bones strong." Isaiah 58:8,10-11a

In words of the ESV study bible, "God reaffirms his readiness to bless his obedient people." He will respond to those who seek Him (Matt 6:33). While the world may deem signals that seem deserted towards a future Christian spouse, we must maintain our strength in knowing "the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard." In my terms, He has our backs when we seek him.

Wayne Grudem's book on "Systematic Theology" has a good section on God's providence. Before we understand this thought of His providence, we must first understand God is the creator and controller of all things. He is God. Now Grudem breaks God's providence down into different categories: Preservation, Concurrence, and Government (governing).

Grudem says God's providence includes concurrence, which means "God cooperates with created things in every action, directing their distinctive properties to cause them to act as they do."

I say this because this is important for understanding God's "rearing" in our lives. Ephesians 1:11 Paul says God "accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will." You and me are listed in His will because no one is left out. "In your book were written, every one of them the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them," said David (Ps. 139:16). God knew us and planned us before we were born. Then we also must read this verse from Acts 17:28 "in him we live and move." I love the word move here. Our actions within a life in God's will are moving.

God is our backbone, but we must guide ourselves away from laziness. We must "move." I fear for the man who stays in his chair all day and expects his life to change.

If you worry about being single, you are already off on the wrong step. Don't worry about being single. Wake up every morning remember and your reasserting your life under Christ. God,in triune, daily guides our lives, and we must believe this. Don't selfishly try to fix it yourselves. Fall in love with Christ and his providence.