I watched a sermon recently where a husband and wife both had trash bags. The bags represented the baggage they had and didn’t get rid of prior to saying “I do.” As they tried to embrace, they couldn’t. The baggage kept them apart. It wasn’t until they tossed the bags away that they could come together.
Why am I mentioning this? What needs to be dealt with for you in singleness now? Have you taken out the trash?
Some may say, “I have been dealing with things. God still hasn’t sent my spouse.” This may be true, but how many of us ask God regularly to “search our hearts?” We can’t hide anything from Him, even if we try to fool ourselves into thinking we’re okay.
What’s hiding inside you? Lust? Envy? Unforgiveness?
Regardless, you can come to God and ask Him to help you. I’m reminded of the hymn that says, “Ask the Savior to help you. Comfort, strengthen, and keep you. He is willing to aid you. He will carry you through.” Jesus will carry you through!
There’s another thing about trash. If you don’t take it out, it lingers in your house. The clutter builds up. The odor can’t be ignored. Even if you’re used to it, others around you will notice. They’ll pick up on your jealousy. Your envy can’t be ignored. Why? You haven’t taken out the trash.
I will say, don’t apply this concept just to “get a spouse.” Your trash also keeps you from embracing someone more important. Who? You already know. Jesus.
Though He loves the sinner, He can’t tolerate sin. Anything that’s in our lives that keeps us from Him, He wants us to get rid of. You may be familiar with the passage in Matthew where Jesus says, “If your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off!”
Now this verse is not to be taken literally. Basically, He’s saying, “anything that’s keeping you from me, get rid of it. Let it go.” We shouldn’t compromise with trash, aka the sin in our lives.
You might say, “But it’s a struggle.” I hear you, but are you trying to do it in your own power? If you are, of course, you’ll fail.
Want to know the key? Spend more time with God and in His Word. Lean on Jesus, who’s already defeated sin for us! Remember the tape analogy I gave in a recent post? The more you’re with Him, the less the world sticks to you.
Practically too, create boundaries for yourself so you won’t fall into those old patterns. This may mean turning on screen time on your phone so your mind doesn’t wander and compare your life to others on social media. Or leaving a fruitless relationship and you’re only staying in it because you don’t want to change your Facebook status back to single.
Whatever this looks like for you to create the boundaries, do it. It’s not legalism. You’re saying, “I need to do this now for me to grow.” This is about your convictions. You can do it with God’s help and get rid of the trash!
I will tell you that the more I’m in God’s presence, the desire for worldly things decreases. It’s a drop in the bucket compared to His oceanic love for me. Learn to tell yourself, “no!” Why would we purposely do anything to break the intimacy with Him? Why would anyone hurt someone they genuinely love?
So take out the trash. Get rid of the mess with Holy Spirit’s help. He’s willing to help you. When you’re rid of it, not only will you have greater intimacy with Him, but also with your future spouse. The best of both worlds.
Check out The Christian Singles Hub website for information on Christian matchmaking, Christian speed dating, upcoming Christian retreats, events, trips and so much more at https://thechristiansingleshub.com/
Written by Daria White Osah
You can find Daria Here:
Devotional https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Younger-Me-Devotional-Personal-ebook/dp/B09QRKBRGB/
Her podcast Single Plus https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/singleplus & on Instagram @mysingleplus
