The second truth takes us a little deeper because we know it can be "easy" (Ha!) to tell of His excellent greatness, but sometimes still be mentally checked out. I find this truth more challenging as I internalize comments that I should be letting roll right off my back. If it's not analyzing a comment, I. JUST. CHECK. OUT. I become some trippy auto-pilot version of myself who apparently separates herself from her Lord in her mind, choosing rather to appease herself or others, forgetting something exceptionally significant. That woman FORGETS, NEGLECTS, and sometimes outright REJECTS what could actually allow her to remain present in conversation with relatives and friends. It's a gem of a truth. I hope you find it as valuable as I do.
REMEMBER HIS OMNISCIENCE. Let's break it down. God knows your past history far better than you or anyone else could ever even attempt to remember it because He knows every single thought you have EVER HAD. God knows exactly what He is doing all the time in your present circumstances that make no sense to you. God knows you more intimately than you (or anyone else) will EVER know yourself because the idea of you originated in His perfect, creative mind. Seriously, every-hair-on-your-head kind of knowledge, folks. God knows EXACTLY who He is making you into through the sanctification process so whatever He has allowed into your life at present WILL shape you into the person He wants you to be as you are surrendered over to Him. God knows all the other people in the room you are sharing at the party BETTER than they know themselves and better than you do too. God knows each and every conversation before you have it. That All-Knowing God is FOR you! That one aspect of His nature should boost your confidence in Who He is so that when the arrows of the enemy in the form of "well-meaning" questions about singleness come your way, you can cling to Him. You can cling to the fact that your Omniscient God also NEVER makes mistakes, falls short, messes up, forgets about, misses anything, or withholds good! I would hate for you to show up to a party without this truth, so don't forget to bring such lofty knowledge of His awesomeness.
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This first one is tried and tested, and in my experience has a nearly perfect record. There are other truths that we will discuss that I barely have a handle on, but this one I have practiced, and I have seen God use it to radically alter conversation. I hope you are ready for it because it can be scary, and you should know that this weapon may not make you popular, but it WILL inject joy into lifeless interaction even if you are the only one delighting in it. Other possible advantages include: incredible versatility, deeper connection, eliminating awkward small talk, and God getting some glory. Have I prefaced it enough? Are you ready?
Alright, here it is. TELL OF HIS EXCELLENT GREATNESS. Are you having an endless conversation with your grandma about the weather we've been having for the last 6 months? Talk about how God is in control of the weather, and isn't it so cool that He gives us things to enjoy? Have you run out of things to talk about with your Uncle Morty now that both of you have answered the question about how work is going? Tell him how God is using you at work, or is giving you opportunities to share the gospel with a coworker or even how he is helping you learn to be steadfast and faithful. Did your well-meaning cousin ask you how the dating world is going? Proclaim how God has been so good to you to give you this time with Him alone, where you can treasure the attributes that make Him a good Husband. Talk about what He is doing in your church life, in your other relationships, what you are learning about Who He is. Quite frankly, I know I have wasted PLENTY of opportunities to tell of His greatness either out of laziness, fear or some other mouth-sealing spiritual ailment. If you're awkward and uncomfortable, I'm telling you, TALK. ABOUT. GOD. One of two very significant things will happen that I alluded to earlier. Either it will bring life back into the conversation and encourage them to talk about Him too, or they will start to pull away from the conversation because it makes them feel weird, and then you have still been obedient, and their response is not your responsibility anyway. It even works on your single friends who may be moping about feeling lonely this time of year. TALK. ABOUT. GOD. Get away from your vain selfish thinking and talk about HIM. Give it a try this holiday season, and just see what happens. Be on the lookout to make His name known even at the most casual of get-togethers. It's no secret that the holidays are a difficult time for those who would happen to fall into the category of singleness. Bombarded with questions from well-meaning family members or even other single friends who are looking for someone with whom to commiserate, it is crucial to go into those environments armed with prepared responses. From how to pose the single individual in family photos and dinner table place settings to graciously smiling when Aunt Beverley puts her hand on your shoulder and tells you, "Your time will come, dear," it is downright uncomfortable. Is it even possible to hit January and feel that your spirit has been lifted? If so, how in the world can one imagine doing so?
Certainly we can try and shift the blame onto the "Christmas culture" in an attempt to justify our discouraged hearts. We can make excuses for our beloved kinfolk saying, "They really do mean well" (when truth be told, we don't actually always know that to be the case). I know I have often felt a strange grief this time of year: when my normally fairly-content- trusting-God-and-delighting-in-my-singleness self starts to appear anxious, depressed, frustrated and angry. To me, that is one of the worst things about the commercialization of Christmas, the emotional turmoil it creates. But, there I go again, blaming my environment. Maybe there is something bigger going on. Now while I could definitely blame the enemy of my soul, that dastardly Thief, I am the one who gives him a foothold (Ephesians 4:27). I'm the one who is not walking by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), nor taking every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5). And so, my fellow Singles, this time of year NECESSITATES, dare I say DEMANDS that we ARM UP, or we are going to get to the end of the year and just crumble. So, I thought we would do a simple little series, as I feel led to write, on truths that we can cling to, the kind you can wield at any moment when the situation calls for it. Who knows? Using the truth in its loving form may even cause hearts to change, including yours. Yes, truth is powerful, so use at your own risk. You have been warned. |
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