Good Lovin' is On The Way!

"There is hope for me yet
Because God won’t forget
All the plans he’s made for me
I have to wait and see
He’s not finished with me yet"
- Brandon Heath (Wait And See)

Ah, Valentine's Day...one of the most polarizing holidays ever in life. You're either for or against it and there's no in between. But for the ones out there who see this "holiday" as a day of sorrow or remorse for not having what you desire, just remember that God isn't finished with you or your life just yet!

 

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. " (Jeremiah 29:11; NIV Edition 2010)

Just like Brandon says in the song, God reveals his plans to us on a step by step basis. We won't know the full plan because then we might not appreciate the value and beauty of His plans for us. We also won't know the fullness of it because it might require us to willingly submit to somethings that right now we really just don't feel like doing. But the key in all of this is to continue to press towards what is right and to be wise about it.

So what are two of the keys needed in order for God to do the work in us that's needed to fulfill his plan? Simple:

Direction: The more seemingly ambiguous of the two keys is God's sense of direction for our lives. But when you think about it, it's not too complicated. Matthew 6:33 tells us that we are to seek His kingdom and righteousness first and all things will be added unto us. So am I saying that God isn't going to place us in the position to secure a relationship with someone until we first secure a relationship with Him? Pretty much. It is only until we begin to seek Him does He begin to reveal the direction for our lives. In order to move forward you must first look up.

Discipline: If God showed you what it would take to achieve oneness and true Christ-like love in your ultimate relationship up front, you'd probably quit! Not only would it be hard to see your imperfections and the fact that you have to overcome them but imagine the feeling of seeing your mates imperfections that you will have to grow to love and either look past or challenge them to grow on. (For real God? You want me to love this person and they have THEE MOST STANK FEET IN THE UNIVERSE?!?). Yeah, it's like that. Perfect love doesn't involve perfect people, it involves imperfect people extending God's grace and mercy towards one another and at the same time being rewarded knowing that their relationship honors God. 1 John 4: 17 summerizes it best by saying:

 

"This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus." (1 John 4:17, NIV 2010 Edition)

So I guess the lesson for Valentine's day for those who have yet to find that special one or that have not found peace in singleness is to not lose hope, God isn't done with the works for your life yet. Seek His direction in all things and follow the discipline required in loving even your friends, family, enemies, haters, etc. so that His perfect love can be revealed in you.

And God's love never returns void.