Monday, November 8, 2010

423 Shoot

You are probably wondering what the title of my post means... if you keep reading, you will find out. :)

Yesterday afternoon, I was talking with a very good friend of mine, and we were just catching up on each other's lives. We got to talking about what each of us were struggling with right now, and for me it's learning how to be friends with people of the opposite without seeing them as a potential boyfriend. You see, my selfish desire is to be in a relationship... it's seems as if all around me people are getting into relationships, getting engaged, or even getting married. Although I secretly want to go full speed ahead and find a boyfriend, God is telling me "Be patient, and wait." So that is just what I am going to do. My head has known this for awhile, but my heart has finally received the message that Christ has a guy out there that He has molded just for me, he will be my better half, he will love me for who I am, and he will be better than any guy I could ever pick out for myself.

My friend suggested that I listen to a podcast of the pastor of her church. His sermon topic is can guys and girls be friends? His answer is YES! It is God-ordained. The next question is, how can guys and girls be friends? This question is answered in 1 Timothy 5:1-2:
"Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if her were your father.
Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers,
and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity."
Friendship should function like a healthy, loving family. Think about it... would you marry or even date a family member? Absolutely not, it's morally wrong!
Then we ask ourselves, is it okay to be attracted to someone? Again, the answer is yes. This is supported in Song of Songs 1:2-3:
"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth-
for your love is more delightful than wine.
Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes;
your name is like perfume poured out."
However, the key is to know what to do with your attraction. Here is where the "423 Shoot" comes in... 423 represents Proverbs 4:23:
"Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life."
Do you hear what that verse is saying? GUARD your heart. Dwell on that. Why must we guard our hearts? Because Jeremiah 17:9 tells us:
"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?"
So, in order to stay in this "423 Shoot" we must do two things... see others as our brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers AND understand when and how to pursue our attraction. But remember, "you don't become brothers and sisters without a Father" -Carl Gulley

1 comment:

  1. God has someone incredible planned for your life. For all that give Him glory He never lets fail. He's just paving the way for you, He's testing your reliance in Him now. If you fall down and look for yourself then you are giving in to the devil. Rest all your hope in Him, the person is going to be one lucky guy.

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