Being Green

"In that day, he that shall be on the housetop, and his goods in the house, let him not go down to take them away; and let him that is in the field likewise not return back. Remember Lot's wife.  Luke 17: 31-32

     Kermit the Frog once sang a song called; "It's not easy being green."  I think that today I am singing a song called; "It's not easy being single."  Today's world is a really tough place to try to build a dating relationship.   Especially if you're a Christian.  There is a lot of pressure out there to do what feels good and people want you to give in.  It's easy to say that it is easier if you're dating a Christian man, but the reality is that you never really know who you're going to fall for.  
     Most of my dating was done before I was walking with God.  Since the time I really asked God to guide my ways I have been more interested in getting my life back together than in finding Mr. Right.   I kept telling myself that when I date again it will be a Christian guy.  A guy who loves God even more than I do.   But life sometimes just happens.  In case you haven't guessed, I met a guy.  He is very nice.  I like him a lot.  I would like to start a relationship but it is quickly becoming apparent that he is not a "believer".   And already he is asking me to go beyond my comfort zone.  And a lot of really hard decision making has had to happen.   It is easy for a lot of people to do what feels good.  And in the past I was no exception.  I admit it.   But now I have God leading me in how I should live my life.   And the decisions become a lot harder.    
     In Genesis the angels told Lot that he and his family had to leave his town.  That they had to go and not look back upon the city because it was evil and God was going to destroy it.   Lot was able to do that but his wife was not.  She turned back to look longingly at what she was leaving and it destroyed her.  "But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt."   Genesis 19:26   
      Many a bible study has used Lot's wife as an example of what happens to you if you turn back to your old ways.  So this is why dating is so hard for Christians.  The pressure is on.  It has been a while and it feels good to be wanted but it is just so clearly not what God would have me do.  I know that I will probably be throwing away a good opportunity to get back into the dating world, but I realize I will have to take a stand.  A stand for God and all that He has taught me. A stand that will probably kill any chances of a good relationship with this nice guy.  Or will it?  If this is the relationship that God wants for me he might understand.  He might even come to know God.  I am not gonna count on it, but I AM gonna take that stand.  I am gonna believe that God is control and sees the bigger picture here that I do not see.  I can't just turn back to my old ways because it "feels good" or because I don't want to be alone... I  am not alone.... I am walking with God.
     This was a tough story to write about.  It's very personal and private.  But at the same time, I am sure that I am not the only one who is dealing with problems like this and I believe that God will use this to help someone else who might be going through similar problems.  Or maybe one of you has been where I am now and has some wisdom for me.  What I do know is that God sent His Son to die for my sins.  Knowing and believing this I have to take a stand.  I know it won't be easy, but with God's help and a strong Godly community to support me, I know that it is possible.  After all, "I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me." Philippians 4:13
     Dear Lord, I need You now like never before.  And I'm pretty sure that it's not just me.   We all do.  Thanks for what You have done for me. Thanks for what You have done for all of us.  Please give us the strength to do Your will and not what just feels good.  Please take away the human pain that I know will come from doing the "right" thing and not the "popular" thing.  And please be with this man who doesn't know You.  Help him to understand that it isn't that I don't want to be with him, it's just that I want to walk with You more.  And maybe You could help him to come to know You more too. I don't really know what to ask for here, but I am sure You already know what is needed. Thanks for always being there...