Ever hear that line before...? I have.
What do you all think about that?
Sound advice, or just plain kooky-ness?
I stumbled upon this article which addresses that and the so-called 'gift' of singleness. (Which is not to say there aren't people called and chosen for a special vocation where God anoints them with a special grace to not desire a mate, because there are people like that.)
Gillis Triplett - Is It The Will of God For Me To Marry Or Remain Single?
I personally think it's an interesting article and makes a lot of sense.
Kooky-ness.
Number one:
Looking at a figure in a book to be your husband is strange. Men looking at God as a wife is not a sign of being heterosexual, since for Christian doctrine, God is a 'male' figure in the scriptures.
Since wife and husband are terms that entail other 'things', it is even more strange to hear it. Want to God to bear your kids or be your 'lover'? Yea...that's a bit sick.
Good thing the majority of Christians don't talk like this. Normally it is only the Christians who can't handle being single and alone that say nonsense like this.
Kooky-ness.
Number one:
Looking at a figure in a book to be your husband is strange. Men looking at God as a wife is not a sign of being heterosexual, since for Christian doctrine, God is a 'male' figure in the scriptures.
Since wife and husband are terms that entail other 'things', it is even more strange to hear it. Want to God to bear your kids or be your 'lover'? Yea...that's a bit sick.
Good thing the majority of Christians don't talk like this. Normally it is only the Christians who can't handle being single and alone that say nonsense like this.
I gotta say... I love God. I truly do. I'd do just about anything for Him...
But I don't love Him THAT way.
the sad thing is, I know many Christians personally who will read things like the Song of Solomon and take it to mean that they should desire Jesus as a spouse. I've heard teachings like these... and even heard my former pastor's wife say "God created you with a desire for intimacy. But it's not to be used in dating relationships or with the opposite sex. He gave you that desire for Himself."
I was like, "What...?" lol
Needless to say, I don't go to that fellowship anymore.
Yeah, I think they still do actually. It was a teaching from Mike Bickle (International House of Prayer) about how we're supposed to let Jesus kiss us on the lips (SoS) or something. Frankly, I thought it was weird and spooky...
I think a lot of the girls liked it though. Most of them are forbidden from dating and are very impressionable. So they probably all see themselves as brides of Christ or something, I don't know... :/
God is our God. It's that simple. If we try to put Him in the role of our husband or wife or whatever, it limits Him and "changes" who He is to fit what we want. I put changes in quotes because God obviously doesn't change, just our perception of Him.
Personally, I love that God loves us the way He does, and I love that He uses marriage to describe His love for us. And I also have respect for those who have dedicated their lives to God by staying single so they can focus on Him. But claiming God as a personal spouse isn't right, it isn't healthy, and it isn't a fair or accurate view of who God is and what He wants for us.
God is our God. It's that simple. If we try to put Him in the role of our husband or wife or whatever, it limits Him and "changes" who He is to fit what we want. I put changes in quotes because God obviously doesn't change, just our perception of Him.
Personally, I love that God loves us the way He does, and I love that He uses marriage to describe His love for us. And I also have respect for those who have dedicated their lives to God by staying single so they can focus on Him. But claiming God as a personal spouse isn't right, it isn't healthy, and it isn't a fair or accurate view of who God is and what He wants for us.