Years ago I’d get into these conversations, usually around the holidays, with family or friends, and I’d say, “Well, when I get married . . . ” then before I could finish my sentence I would pause and stutter and think, “Should I say ‘when’ or maybe I should say ‘if’, ” then I’d backtrack, “I mean if I get married.”
I wanted to be real about the fact that I may not get married. But at the same time the word if left me feeling defeated and hopeless. The rest of the day I’d worry, “What if I don’t get married?” and a dozen scenarios would ruminate through my mind.
As I contemplated “when” or “if” I forgot about this little thing called faith, that makes absolutely no sense by itself, but that Jesus tells us has the ability to move mountains.
He said to them,’Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.’” Matthew 17:20
So if my faith has the ability, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to do the impossible, then what exactly is faith?
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
Faith is being assured of what we hope for. Faith is “when” it happens, not “if” it happens. It is having the conviction that what we hope for will come to pass even though we cannot see it yet.
When you say, “When I get married . . . ” you are making a bold statement in faith and telling that mountain, your singleness, to move! And you are living as if it is already done, you’re just waiting to experience its new position.
You’re also saying to God, “God, I know you’re big enough for this! You can move this mountain! Nothing is impossible with you!”
You might say to me, “But what if I believe in faith that I will get married and then I don’t?” Don’t worry about that. God’s will and timing for the future isn’t any of our business right now. Our only business is to live in faith which is to live like it is already done. If you believe in faith, and you do not get married, then God will prepare your heart and mind for that realization. Like I’ve said before, I wholeheartedly believe that God will give you peace if you are called to a life of singleness. That is if you allow Him to give you peace. That doesn’t mean you will necessarily stop desiring marriage, but there will be peace.
So today I want you to stop saying, “If I get married”, and I want you to start saying, “When I get married.” You have faith that can move mountains, so live like the mountain is already moved!
How is your faith today? Do you feel like it can move mountains? What’s it going to take to get you to that place of assurance?
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