Non-negotiable

One day, someone will stand next to me :)

Ever since I graduated from College, I became part of the single professional's ministry in our local church. I have found myself spending time with many single men and women and some couples and it has been a wonderful growing and learning season for me.

Often times, whenever I date with single (not to mention beautiful, faithful, awesome and wonderful) women, we talk about our "non-negotiables" - the characters and traits that should not be compromised with our future partners. As Christian women, a God-fearing and God-honoring man who isn't just a church attendee but a radical disciple maker is definitely in our top of the list. My friends can still add a long list to that but as for me, I would often stop and think to myself, "what else do I want to see in my future partner?"

When I still in high school and college, I definitely wanted a pilot or a dentist who cooks well and does household chores. I wanted an english-speaking guy who plays the piano, dances, sings and a black belter in taekwondo. But all these things, I realized, were not requirements. These are bonuses. And whether or not God would put these bonus traits to my future partner, I will still love him completely and worship Him daily.

I don't really have a long-list of what-have-yous. But as I continue to pray for my heart and my future partner, I came up with one non-negotiable in which all that my future partner is and should be revolves around: Follower of Jesus. A kind of man that I can honor. Someone I can submit to. Someone who is persistent in honoring God and making disciples. Someone who is lives out the definition of love. A man who exemplifies the fruits of the Holy Spirit. A man devoted in pursuing God's call in his life.