“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
In context, this whole chapter is about the Lord sweeping the Egyptians into the sea after the Israelites had just successfully gone through it with a “wall of water on their right and on their left”, thanks to Moses' obedience to the Lord. If you’ve seen The Prince of Egypt or grown up in church, this story should come as no surprise to you.
However, I like to believe that although the Lord hasn’t physically parted any seas for me, he’s certainly still fighting on my behalf in every other area of my life. To me, I find this actually very romantic. That He loves and cares enough for me to fight for me.
Just the other day I stumbled upon a blog post written by a girl I’ve never met. My heart hurt for her as I read it because it was all about how she had to fight to win her boyfriend’s love. She felt that when they were together he didn’t care to be with her and she initiated everything. Eventually they broke up and although I know it’s never easy and that's not ideal, I was relieved for her.
After leaving this complete stranger a comment in hopes that she would be encouraged, I was surprisingly shocked at how much I needed that comment myself. I believe the Lord allowed me to read that post and comment so that I too could get a profound thought through my hard head.
As girls, we should never have to fight for a man’s love. We should be fought for. He should pursue us, not vice versa. It’s how the Lord intended it to be. The man leads, we follow.
The minute we start questioning whether he loves, or even likes us, is the minute we should take warning. This is not whatsoever in regards to marriage, I’m simply talking about dating here. I am by no means qualified to give even the slightest marriage advise, but if these are issues you’re facing, I’d suggest seeing a counselor or getting some accountability all while taking it to the Lord is of utmost importance.
Because I am a girl and because I work with girls, it’s safe for me to say that I know as girls we long for that security. We want to know someone wants to be with us. And love us. And romance us. But wouldn’t you much rather know you’ve been fought for and pursued as opposed to questioning whether you’ve manipulated him into being with you? Manipulation, whether it be with our words or actions, can be a very powerful and messy thing. In fact, it can be scary.
I’ve been that girl. I’ve chased that boy. Clearly, it’s not been as successful as I would have hoped, but praise the Lord for that. Every rejection, I have to believe, has simply been the Lord’s protection.
Every time we fight for a man’s love, we’re robbing him of a God given desire to fight for us. To be a warrior. Back in the day, I read Wild at Heart by John Eldredge and I am so glad I did. It gave me a glimpse into what men were created to do and how they are wired. We have to give our guys some credit, but in order for that to happen, we have to take a step back and let them lead. This doesn’t mean we can’t talk to or interact with guys, quite the opposite, but it does mean to let them pursue us if in fact it’s the Lord’s desire that that relationship goes beyond a friendship. Pray for the guys in your life, that they would be sensitive to the Lord’s leading. And then trust the Lord.
Proverbs 18:22 specifically comes to mind as I consider this concept. “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.”
He who finds a wife, not she who finds a husband.
Let us not give in or give up too early. Wait on the Lord's provision. He is always working behind the scenes even when we think he doesn't remember the last thing we prayed for.
The beauty of this post is that I can’t wrap it up with a nice pretty bow. I’ve not yet experienced this type of pursuit. I’m waiting with the rest of you. But you can be sure I’ve witnessed it enough times to believe it will happen. To believe that the Lord is faithful. And to believe I’m worth being fought for, just like the Lord intended.
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15 comments:
beautiful! love it :)
Lindsee...so incredible!! And it's SO worth the wait of that knighy pursuing his lady...or however you see it! I love you and your heart linds! Keep posting truth cuz its a bright shining light in this world of lies! And us girls need those truths more than anything!
Dearest Lindsee,
Thank you for the wonderful post of TRUTH!
Couple of questions that may seem odd coming from your father but, 1. Don't we actively participate in the building of relationships of all sorts? In other words, we do pursue people for friendship, business, ministry and so on, so where is the balance? 2. I think we do fight for a relationship, first and foremost with ourselves. My sin nature does not naturally want to be focused on anyone but myself and what serves me. And I fight all the things around me that want me focused on things other than what I should be focused on which is God, your mother, you and your brothers, my friends, and so on.
Just a thought,
Dad
Goodness! You are such a strong spiritual warrior! You sure encourage me and make me think about things in a completely different light. God is good and when he finds the right person for us won't that be just perfect! :)
This is exactly what I needed. Lately I have been influenced by people saying " Oh women should take charge and make a move" and what not. The idea of being still and waiting for a man to pursue is seen as old fashioned and soooo not 2011. But the greatest thing a woman to do is wait for a man who will do whatever it takes to win her love. I want to be assured that I know this man loves me just as much if not more than I do. And in that case, I will wait for this man...whenever he comes!
Great post! what a huge blessing you are to so many girls. Wild at Heart is one of my favorite books, it was one of the very first books I read when I became a Christian 6 years ago.
-Kelly f.
I stumbled on this via Twitter and love this post. I especially love the Bible verse -- thank you so much!
For clarification. Know that once you're married, yes, please fight for your love. Fight for your marriage. Don't just walk away. This post is only in reference to dating relationships.
Fight to keep your relationship with the Lord the most important thing.
Girls, yes, we must put ourselves out there, I've said multiple times that he's not going to show up on our front door step. And a relationship takes two to tango. Get to know your guy friends. Respond appropriately if/when you are pursued.
Just a few thoughts since I posted!
WONDERFUL post (as usual)! And you certainly hit the nail on the head with this one! A Godly friend of mine once said "a man wants a sense of adventure and a woman wants to be pursued." I dont care what century we're living in, or how technology has evolved our way of meeting people, communicating, etc. One thing will ALWAYS stay the same...it is within our core being to desire a man's pursuit. Granted, there's certainly nothing wrong with approaching a man at first (that's how I met my husband), but I think it's so important to allow the man that sense of "adventure" that is within him by pursuing us. Moreover, from my own personal experience, I believe that it is crucial to find a man who realizes your value and your worth. As women, I think we tend to dumb ourselves down and/or "settle" for a man, simply to have one (I have been guilty of this). This is such a terrible thing for anyone to do. We ALL deserve the best, we deserved to be pursued and we deserve to have someone that values and cherishes us as the Lord does!
Well said! I have used the Ex 14:14 reference a few times yesterday and today...Thank you for sharing from your heart! It is a blessing to so many. Keep speaking the TRUTH!!
You are such an encouragement. "Starred" this one, because I know I'll need to read it again & again.
Last week I finished Kay Authur's bible study, "Return to the Garden." Tonight, a friend in my accountability group mentioned that we read "Wild at Heart."
Your blog is often a "sacred echo" to me. Thank you for this post!
I needed this post! I needed to be reminded that I am worth being fought for. It never fails that every time I check your blog I find exactly what I need to hear that day. I know that is a God thing. Thank you for your willingness to be used by Him. Keep on trusting Him.
love the post, Lindsee...and I am in total agreement! Praying that we continue to let the Lord to fight for our love!
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