On God's gift of love and passion

Jesus is the only one who can satisfy a man's heart in a way a woman can't. And Jesus is the only one who can satisfy a woman's heart in a way a man can't.

So can a man and a woman live without a romantic love? Yes they can. But should a man and a woman seek to love each other? Should we pursue romantic relationships as Christians? It depends on a gift you have.

The apostle Paul says, "But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that." (1 Corinthians 7:7b) One has a gift to be single, but another has a gift to be married. One's passion burns like an oven and can't cool down right away, but another's passion is only quick and temporary like a microwave, quickly hot but quickly cool as well. The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write down these words, "But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion." (1 Corinthians 7:9) Does that mean that passion is bad, wrong or sinful? No it's not. It could lead to sin but it's not sinful. God created passion. A romantic relationship would be like an iceberg without passion. It would not be romantic at all.

Some can glorify God better being alone, seeking and serving him. Others can glorify God much better together in a relationship, seeking and serving God. Why is that? Because of the different gifts God gave them. One has a gift to be married, another has a gift to be single. And I think each individual person knows what it is.

True love between a man and a woman is something super special. Many things are involved. It can happen immediately, or gradually. It's almost supernatural and out of this world. It's the most beautiful thing in the world God has given us, besides himself. And it's almost impossible to explain it. It's to be cherished and nurtured after it's been born between a man and a woman, who have chosen to love each other.

Some say "love is a choice" only. Or "love is a strong affection" only. I believe it's both. When a man and a woman love each other passionately, they also need to choose to love each other practically. Passion and practice go together. That's when love between the two is the strongest and the most secure, when the two continue to love even when things are very hard, and the passion between them is fueled by their devotion to each other, no matter what.

Prayer for guidance in these matters is good and a must, but it's not all you need to do. Look at your passion, look at the gift God gave you. Let's not be super spiritual in thinking "Jesus is enough, he alone satisfies my heart". Let's not fool ourselves my friends, or you'll make a fool out of yourself. Or even worse, your passions will have the better of you, and you'll sin against God, others and yourself and do just what you didn't want to do.

So what do you desire deeply in your heart? To be single, or to be married and share your life with another. You have the answer, God has put it within you already. God has given you a gift, and it's beautiful. It's either one or the other. What is it for you?

"Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.
Many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot sweep it away.
If one were to give
all the wealth of one’s house for love,
it would be utterly scorned."
(Song of Solomon 8:6,7)