We all know that God is all-powerful. Nothing is impossible for Him. But I wonder: can we know something so well that we’ve become inoculated to its truth? In other words, do we talk a good game about God, but in reality live like practical atheists?
For example, when I speak I will often ask the crowd of university students: “Who here believes God can get you a mate – or even a boyfriend or girlfriend?” After a smattering of nervous laughter, I answer the question for them:
If I’m a freshman I say, “GOD CAN!!!!!!!!”
If I’m a sophomore I say, “God can.”
If I’m a junior I say, “I think God can?”
If I’m a senior I say, “Well ... maybe I need to help God out a little bit.”
It always ends in an eruption of laughter.
But, why are we like that? Why does our belief falter? Is it because at a University of 30,000, we feel we've got better odds of finding the right person? And after graduation, as a member a church of 300 or just 30, the odds will go down? So here's my question: what are odds to God? Seriously, think about that. The obvious truth is that there is no such thing as odds to God. He does whatever pleases Him (Ps. 115:3).
If Not Odds, Then What?
If God doesn't operate under odds, then I submit the real issue isn’t finding the right person but becoming the right person. In other words, the prolonged delay in discovering your future mate is not because the odds are against you, but because the delay is formational to your being.
Ladies, would you like to marry a King? The last time I checked, you must possess the character of a queen to marry a king. Men, would you like to marry a Queen? Only Kings marry Queens. We become Kings and Queens by learning to trust in the God Who Can, despite so-called odds.
Ponder the Power of God
So, we must ponder verses that declare: God Can! Nothing is impossible with Him. There are no "long odds" with God.
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. – Ephesians 3:20-21
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. – Daniel 3:16-18
"Ah Sovereign Lord! Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You" ... and ... “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” – Jeremiah 32:17,27
And the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, when I am so old?’ Is anything too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son." – Genesis 18:13-14
When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:25-26
Sometimes Our Wants Aren't Best For Us
God's power is limitless, whether in finding you a friend, a mate, a job, – anything. Yet, I'd be guilty of malpractice if I didn't add: sometimes what we so desperately want isn't what we so desperately need. In fact, God actually knows best what each of us needs. We may ache for a partner, but singleness is not second-class citizenship. In fact, through church history, singleness was often preferred to marriage among Christians. For example, think of the apostle Paul. "Oh poor Paul, he had no spouse!" I'm certain Paul wasn't thinking like that. And what about Jesus? Single – every day, for 33 years. Certainly we don't want to adopt the lunacy that Jesus missed out on something, do we?
If God calls you to singleness, you've got outstanding company in Jesus and Paul. It may be difficult at times, but you have opportunity sewn into your status. (1 Corinthians 7:26-28). And that's no roll of the dice.