Freedom

Jesus came so that we could live in freedom. Not just freedom from our sins, but freedom from the pain of our past, living stuck in a holding pattern, or chasing after things that leave us empty. So many of us are weighed down with disappointment, hurt, and unmet expectations, but God wants us to live fully alive.

In my early adult years, I believed what the world said about needing a man to be happy. I desperately wanted a husband. I wanted a forever wedding date, happy family photos, the whole nine yards! I didn't want to end up 30, single, and childless. I didn’t want to be alone. So I prayed hard for a husband. 

However, I quickly realized that my reasons for wanting a husband were all wrong. My prayers were small and entirely self-motivated. I was consumed with wanting a husband when I should have been consumed with what would really fulfill me—knowing and living for God. I now know that having a husband isn’t what will sustain me. If and when that time comes, marriage will be like icing on the cake. It’ll be that little something extra on top of what really sustains me—and that’s Jesus. 

In my years of singleness, I’ve learned that even in the waiting, God is good. Even in the disappointment, hurt, and uncertainty, He is faithful. My life looks different today than I thought it would, but it’s better than I could have ever dreamed. I live in freedom today knowing I don’t have to force myself to fit a mold I was never designed to conform to. I am fully surrendered, healed, and hopeful for things to come. I still have dreams of having a family, but I’m content in the Lord.

If you feel like there’s got to be more to life than what you’re living now, I encourage you to lean into God even more. God’s best for you is so much larger than giving you a plus one. In Him, you can find healing from your past, comfort and purpose in the waiting, and hope for what’s still to come.

Living life to the fullest means knowing, loving, and following Jesus. Joy comes from having an intimate relationship with Jesus and believing you are right where He wants you at this point in time. Peace is knowing that while you haven’t seen all the desires of your heart come to fruition, you can trust God with your today and your future. Living fully for Him means living in freedom.