A Matter of the Heart

Chances are that if you are a young Christian woman, you've heard countless times how God loves you, and how your identity should be found only in Him. But can I just be real for a second? Because the truth is that we live in a world that tries very hard to tell us that our identity should be found in countless other things, and especially in the approval of men. It's a message sent to us by provocative advertisements marketed towards men, the billion-dollar makeup industry, and photoshopped magazines practically everywhere we turn.

So it can be hard sometimes not to buy into that in some way. I think that's also a reason young Christian women sometimes allow guys to play game with them, or make them chase them. Deep down we all want that approval, and if we don't immediately get it, it can be tempting to try to convince someone to give it to us.

But you know what? The more I think about it, the more I realize how ridiculous it is. You and I are God's own daughters (if you are a girl ;), perfectly created to satisfy Him and be loved by Him. We were not created to look for approval in the eyes of men. We weren't created to look for approval anywhere actually, because we already have it in God, who loves us deeply as we are.

We are not called to change ourselves for anyone (other than God). And we are certainly not called to chase a guy, or wait forever in case he changes his mind. So we need to learn to let those "why not?" questions roll off our backs, and not give them a second thought. Do not entertain any guy who cannot see your worth.

The Bible is clear that a man is to love his bride as Christ loves the church. And okay, that may not be as applicable when you're still in the dating stage. But if a man doesn't see your value now, if he isn't willing to pursue you in a way that mirrors Christ's pursuit of us- then why would you ever let him into your heart? Why would you try to convince him to value you by trying to change who you are?

You deserve no less than someone who is intentional with your heart. You deserve no less than someone who chooses you, and knows the privilege that it would be to walk alongside you. Hold out for that someone. I promise I will too.

#christian #2016