An Amazing Man

I had something of an epiphany the other day. It shouldn't have been so surprising to me, but it was.

If you want to marry an amazing Christian man, BE an amazing Christian woman.

The thought hit me in the gut, and though I wanted to ignore it, it pushed itself into my mind until I consented to consider it. There are many qualities I desire for my hypothetical future husband, but less often do I consider whether I truly seek those same qualities out in myself. Am I the sort of Christian that I hope to marry?

I want to marry a man who never settles for mediocrity, who always seeks out new ways to grow in Christ, to reach out, and to minister to others. Do I settle for mediocrity, or do I always seek out new ways to grow in Christ, to reach out, and to minister to others?

I want to marry a man willing to sacrifice for others. Am I willing to sacrifice for others?

I want to marry a man who always thinks of others, and is compassionate toward all. Do I always think of others and am I compassionate toward all?

I want to marry a man who is dedicated to daily scripture reading/study and prayer. Am I dedicated to daily scripture reading and prayer?

I want to marry a man with a heart burning for the lost and broken in the world. Does my heart burn for the lost and broken of the world?

I want to marry a man willing to give up everything to follow the call of God. Am I willing to give up everything to follow the call of God?

I want to marry a man who is helpful, giving, and loves everyone. Am I helpful, giving, and loving toward everyone?

I want to marry a man who will shun the lusts of the flesh and instead cling to God for strength in weakness. Do I shun the lusts of the flesh and instead cling to God for strength in weakness?

This is less of a lesson in “who do I want to marry” and more a lesson of “am I settling for just plateauing in my Christian life, or am I constantly pushing for greater heights?” Too often, I get comfortable in my flat plane of life. I slack off a little here, a little there.

It's no big deal.

But isn't it? Certainly, I believe that constantly growing in Christ is the goal, the ideal... but how often do I really take it to heart and make it a personal goal? How often do I desire in my own life the things I so desire to see in the life of a future spouse? Unfortunately, far less than I should.

If you want to marry an amazing Christian man, BE an amazing Christian woman.

If you never marry, BE an amazing Christian woman.

If you do nothing else in life, BE an amazing Christian woman!

That is the goal. 

That is my goal.