More Than A Genie

How amazing is it that God actually gives us Himself? The infinite, glorious, spectacular, and altogether lovely God of the universe is all ours. --Jefferson Bethke

A relationship with God isn’t a relationship at all if we’re only after what God can give us.

We turn to God and expect Him to answer our every need. We call Him faithful and good when He does those very things, and rightly we should. But a relationship with God isn’t about what He can give us, but about loving Him for who He is—our God, our Savior, our Father. When we stop treating God like He’s a genie in a bottle and start embracing a relationship with Him, we discover a joy that will remain even when everything is taken from us. We learn to still love God and we grow in our relationship with Him because we know that the things of this world, and the trials we face, do not define or shift the character of God. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He will not leave us or forsake us. His love for us will never end.


What kind of loving relationship exists when two people only care about what they can get from their significant other? It’s shallow. There’s no love for the other person, no care or desire to grow deeper in their relationship. 

So it is with God. Yes, He is our Provider, but that’s just an added bonus to getting to know Him through a deep, daily walk. When we truly get to know Him for who He is, rather than what we can get, we discover a prize that is beyond anything we could ever ask for.

This Single Woman's Aim

An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. 1 Cor. 7:34

Wow. God really pulled at my heart a few days ago as I stumbled upon this verse. As a single woman, I have so much opportunity before me, yet this is a reminder that my ultimate concern should not be about the opportunities offered in this world, but that of the opportunities only found in God and in pursuing His kingdom.

So I switched out the beginning of this verse with the replacement of "single woman," just to continue to shed light on exactly what this verse means for this period of my life as a single:

A [ single woman ] is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit.

With a dating relationship, and ultimately marriage, the focus isn't fully on God, but on the other person as well. But as a single, my focus can and should be entirely on Him!

So, I choose to be single. I choose to view this time as a gift and to not rush into a relationship.

The world says that singleness is a curse, but God says that it is a blessing. It is a short-lived period of life where I can grow closer and closer to my Lord and Savior each day. I can serve Him. I can get to know Him better. I can continue to seek Him about the path He has for my life.

And if the right guy comes along, in step with God's leading, then what a beautiful moment that will be!

But until then, it is my prayer that my only aim would be full devotion to the Lord in both body and spirit.

That He would be my everything.

That He would be enough.

That's this single woman's aim!

There's a Hole in My Heart

There's a hole in my heart, and my heart yearns for it to be filled. I am discontent, weary, impatient. I am desperate for satisfaction, so I turn to every possible source of this world. Success, love, busyness--these things work at first. I feel a sense of purpose, a sense of contentment, but this feeling is only temporary. No matter where I turn or who I meet, I only become more dissatisfied. My contentment diminishes as I seek to fill this hole. My perspective is altered as my focus shifts to what can satisfy this heart of mine, what can fill the void.

I seemingly forget, in the midst of all this, that there is only One who can fill that hole in my heart.

And His name is Jesus.

Every ounce of dissatisfaction is dissolved in the arms of Jesus Christ. His sweet embrace sweeps me away with a love that is so much greater than anything this world could offer. Jesus brings purpose. Jesus brings contentment. All the things and ways of this world will fade, but He will always remain.

I'm learning to rest in that. I'm learning to trust in that. This hole in my heart was not meant to be filled by the temporal. It was meant to be filled by the love of Jesus. We are all meant to walk in communion with God. He wants to be in relationship with me. He wants to be in relationship with you.

My yearning heart can only be satisfied with His perfect love. That love is chasing after me, and it's chasing after you. Stop running!