Let’s put our singleness aside for a few minutes. Let’s forget our social status, and concentrate on what really matters: our love for God.

It’s okay to think about getting married. There is nothing wrong with daydreaming about a future wedding. Some singles refuse to talk about it because they do not want to be seen as someone who complains about their current status. Just because you talk about it doesn’t mean you are unhappy. It is healthy to put words to what is distracting and worrying us. We need to talk to our friends so that they can help us in our search, and of course, we must speak openly with God. 1 Peter 5.7 (NCV) says : “Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you.”

But after we poured our hearts out to God, we must take back control of our thoughts and realign them in the right direction. There is only one thing that is really important: to love God.

Jesus gave it as the greatest commandment. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” (Mark 12:30 NCV) A scribe that was speaking with Jesus agreed by saying that loving God this way was more important than making all sorts of sacrifices (Mark 12.33). You wouldn’t want to marry a person who continually demands things. You wouldn’t want to be in a relationship where you’re always giving, always making sacrifices. It goes both ways: I am sure you wouldn’t want your partner to “force themselves” to please you and to spend time with you. All you want is to be loved with sincere and unconditional love. Right?

It is the same for God. He just wants you to love Him. But how can we love Him?

• With your emotions. You can cry, laugh, dance, sing, whatever your emotions leads you to do to demonstrate your love.
• With your intelligence. You have calculated what it will cost you in time, financially, in criticism, etc., to love God and you choose to love Him despite the price.
• With your strength. You don’t just say nice words to Jesus during the time of worship in church, but you show your love with actions every day.

Why? Because that is how God loves you.

• He has strong feelings when he thinks of you. “The Lord your God is with you; the mighty One will save you. He will rejoice over you. You will rest in his love; he will sing and be joyful about you.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NCV)
• He has calculated the cost and he chose you anyway. “He did not spare his own Son but gave him for us all. So with Jesus, God will surely give us all things.” (Romans 8:32 NCV)
• He demonstrates His love for you in action every day, fulfilling His promises.

You know what? This is also how your partner will want to be loved! With outbursts of affection, after mature reflection, and above all, every day, in actions.