“The Sacred Search,” by renown Christian marriage author, Gary Thomas, is the only in his bibliography to cater specifically to singles and carries an important message about the perfect mate.
If someone looks to marry the perfect person, then there is nothing to love for marriage is designed to adopt the character of Christ, to love as He loves in spite of their flaws.
While a person should have requirements of a potential spouse, it is understandable why some singles choose “to be in love with or focused on the Lord.” While sounding admirable, if one were to go beneath the surface, it can be a deflection from fear, past pain or previous unmet expectations rather than a statement of faith.
God employs marriage to expose a person’s weaknesses and to show they – using a modern colloquialism – “ain’t all that”, a truth singles may be unwilling to own and fear will be eventually discovered once married.
Regardless of the level of spiritual maturity, there are attributes in everyone, which will get on the other’s nerves and test patience. The Lord challenges and requires work to accept a spouse’s vulnerabilities, something only He can help accomplish.
While God does desire personal pleasure in marriage, it is ultimately about pleasing Him.
