I have a question that I’m fairly sure I know how most would answer, but I will throw it out there anyway. I just turned 55 and have been single after a divorce for almost 20 years. Not happily so, I might add. I very much want to marry again, but it’s just not happening despite getting back into the dating scene about 7 years ago. (Went 12 years straight without a single date!) I’ve been a believer since I was 20, got married at 25 and largely worshipped alone because of my husband’s military career and an inauthentic relationship with God. And being alone since my marriage ended, I’ve worshipped and served God alone. My question is this: While the Bible teaches we’re not to be unequally yoked, what point is there in trying to find someone whose walk matches my own, at this point in my life?
I’m not in ministry and don’t anticipate being in ministry. As long as I marry someone who is ok with me serving God even if he doesn’t care to do so himself and we are compatible in other areas of our lives, would it be so terrible? Certainly, I would prefer a man whose relationship with the Lord mirrors my own or is even stronger (as I’ve been having many doubts lately), but I’ve discarded many a man who believes in God, even attends church but doesn't adhere to a biblical walk. I feel like I can worship alone as a married woman as well as a single woman. My sister has done it successfully for almost 30 years.
I’ve met a man who was once a staunch believer but has walked away from the faith. Abuse as a child, atrocities of war, the death of his fiancé – all have taken a toll. One of the things he appreciates about me is my faith, funny enough. I think I can handle the spiritual divide as we have other areas where we're compatible. He's fine with me believing as long as I don't tell him what he should believe. He'd even attend church with me if I asked, because he's the type of guy to do anything for his lady. His choice not to believe often forces me to dig deeper into my own beliefs to answer some of his questions.
If I were younger I probably wouldn't ask this question. But my life is more than half over and it's been pretty low-key until now. I don't anticipate any major things happening that it would be important to be married to a strong believer (like ministry).
Thoughts? Help me reason through this. TIA.
