My “Other Half”

This week's guest post is from a lovely young woman of Christ, Tara. 

As humans, we go through life looking for approval, love and affection. Above all though, we place the utmost importance on finding our "other half," the person who will complete, understand and love us unconditionally. No matter how jaded or cynical a person can become, there is always that flicker of hope that someone, one day, will love us for who we are.

But people aren't perfect and often they fall short of our expectations. Disappointed, we harden our hearts and walk through life feeling incomplete and utterly alone. 

You don't have to live like that anymore though. Because God loves you for who YOU are. He is the only one who can truly complete you and fill all the lonely parts of your heart - the vulnerable corners of your soul that are locked away from even the people closest to you. 

Single, dating or married - open your heart to God. He will fill it to the brim with love, joy and a peace that no human being can give you. This is not something I can tell you or help you do.

In fact, these are just words and thoughts from an imperfect human being. No, this is something you must learn and experience on your own. When that happens, you're transformed. 

Here is one such story... 

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About two years ago I met a guy that I went to church with. We became friends and started talking; soon, I started liking him. After about three months of talking he asked me out. I accepted and we started dating.

My days were quickly filled with thinking about him, hanging out with him, going on dates with him, talking on the phone with him, etc. My whole life began revolving around this person. I still read my Bible, went to church, prayed, but my focus was not centered and set on Jesus Christ.

The relationship soon turned sour as I learned that not everybody who claims the title ‘Christian’ actually lives it out. I began to see a different person than the one I had fallen in love with. His words of abuse were thrown around and they hit hard and painfully.

Finally, by God’s hand, something happened where we were unable to talk or see each other (I now know that God was doing for me what I was refusing to do myself) and after some separation I realized I didn’t want to be with him anymore.

We broke up and soon after came those days of refreshing that Acts 3:19 talks about. Repentance came, tears came, and His love flooded all those empty, broken places.

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. -Acts 3:19

As I came out of that relationship God used that to teach me a very valuable lesson: God alone satisfies and  completes us.

If we make a human being our end all, be all we are setting ourselves up for failure. Why? Because we fall short everyday and no human  being can be for us what God alone promises to be - perfect. We must look to our perfect, Heavenly Father for the fulfillment, love, truth, and joy that He alone can give.

How often we hear people refer to their boyfriend or girlfriend or husband or wife as their “other half.”

You may hear it and smile, maybe you wish you could say the same. I used to be that way too and thought it would be so wonderful to have my “other half.”

But, there is a problem with thinking this way. It’s not true. You are made complete in Christ alone. Anything else may be an extra gift or blessing in your life, but God alone has made you whole.

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. -Colossians 2:10

At the end of the day, our Heavenly Bridegroom is the One who completes us. Whether you’re single or married God loves you and He cares for you. Whether life is beautiful right now or it’s ugly, He is the One holding you.

Once we understand and believe that, we are better able to relate to others knowing that regardless of our circumstances or social status, we are complete in Christ Jesus. Amen, hallelujah.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tara is a lover of books, words, laughter, jokes, and most importantly, of Jesus. She has been saved by grace and continues to learn what it looks like to walk by faith in the Lord. She currently resides in the South where Southern drawls, fried foods, football, and good fellowship are the staples. She blogs at Not Perfect Only Forgiven and you can usually find her outside enjoying nature while getting a workout in.