"And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love." - 2 John 1:5,6
This morning, I read the book of 2 John in the Bible for my devotion. It has been my practice to study the bible by looking at the different commentaries and understanding the original Greek or Hebrew meaning of the words in passage. 2 John is no exemption. Bible scholars still debate about who the author of this book really is. They have even come up with many definitions and interpretations of the "lady". But indeed, the word of God is alive and active. It can speak to us uniquely, according to our situation.
Valentine's Day is just around the corner again. People would say it is the most unfortunate time of the year to be single. I say, not really. I have been single for the 20 Valentine's Day that have passed and I am fine. I am not really longing for someone this Valentine season, but there is no denying the fact that I am excited for the day that he will be beside me. And I know that spending Valentine's Day "alone" for another year (and more) is worth it when everyday with him in the future will feel like it's Valentine's day.
But the reason I am writing this blog is not the Valentine season. It is because my heart was moved with the leadership of the author of 2 John. Every set apart woman wants a man like that. A man who would remind her of her first love; a man who would lead their relationship in purity and holiness.
I have heard many times that I can get too intimidating specially to the guys because of my background and personality. And because of that, sometimes, I find myself insecure and end up praying and asking God for a man who won't be intimidated with my calling. I even got to a point of praying for the man's profession - a profession that would make him secure and un-intimated with me. But God would tell me, "Arla, you do not want a man who puts his security in his title and achievements. You want and need a man who would be secure in Me, someone who will rejoice in the fulfillment of My calling for you, even when the world thinks it tramples his masculinity."
And so now, what I pray for is a 'John' who would lead me into a Christ-centered relationship with him. A 'John' who is secure with his identity in Jesus. A 'John' who would love me out of the overflow of his love for God.
Dear John,
You are worth waiting for. And it will be my joy and delight to submit to a man like you
Love,
Arla
