I once heard about a politician’s wife who abruptly left the marriage after her husband lost his senate re-election bid. When he asked why, her response was both humorous and telling: ‘I married a senator, but since you’ve lost your seat, I’m no longer invested in this marriage.’ She failed the ultimate test of a relationship.
Friend, the test of time is the ultimate test (Ecclesiastes 3:11). There are things you won’t know until you allow time. Time is a clarifier. Time is a tester. By simply giving that vision or direction time, you can easily tell if it is God or your flesh. That urge to do it now could be indicative of a satanic plot somewhere (Romans 8:14).
When it comes to marriage, time is never your enemy (Isaiah 28:16). I always tell singles: “Don’t be under the pressure of time.” Use time for your advantage. Your waiting time could be a time to work on yourself, see life better, and be able to test who’s truly for you. The same guy who’s all over you now may soon act as a total stranger if given time (Proverbs 20:6).
Genuine love gets better with time. Lust fizzles out with time (1 Corinthians 13:1-8). Some people have hurriedly married based on lust, not love. Don’t wake up in marriage only to see that the person you once thought loved you was only doing so because of emotions, not convictions. True love is more about conviction than emotion (Philippians 1:9).
Time is a revealer. It would reveal who people really are (John 2:24). Most people cannot continue to mask their true intentions for too long. Don’t be in a hurry to appoint people too early, else, you would be disappointed. When you give your heart or emotion to the wrong people, they shatter it with no apologies (2 Samuel 13:12-15).
Building a family takes time (Psalm 112:1-10). Stop expecting too early from your marriage. Sometimes, you won’t know the gift God gave you in your spouse until after some time. Let your spouse grow. Let your marriage grow. Take time to grow, too. Growth unlocks potential and possibilities (Galatians 4:1-2). But growth takes time.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria