4 01 Is there a such a thing called a Soul Mate - YouTube
That said, I do believe there are many issues, aspects, ext. to this concept.
I used to have long laundry lists of what I look for in a woman. You know what? I found them, and it didn't work out.
This could be due to many things, but one in particular was due to (in my experience and understanding) God's prompting. I know this doesn't sit well with most people, but please bear with me. It was actually the hardest thing I've ever had to do.
So, that said...There are qualities, characteristics, and levels of people in-so-much-as their comparison to you and others. Am I saying people are better or worse than other people?
No. Am I saying we are different, in different places, at different levels of maturity, spirituality, ext...
Yes. There are such things as good and bad people, right and wrong choices, wise and foolish thinking, beneficial and harmful action...I hope you see where I'm going here. =)
That said, there are examples of where God called someone to a relationship. One would be Hosea. He was called to marry a prostitute. (Not past, but practicing.) Is this a Holy thing? For his obedience to God, yes; as a general principle, I would like to say not. God doesn't (in general) call everyone to find a person who will be "bad" for them. (This, of course, as everything, is arguable...)
He also calls people to singleness. (FE: Paul...) Now, apart from all that...the rest of us tend to look for a mate. (Please, before you get into and 'Adam and Eve' chat with me on this....just wanted to point out...there are two separate writers/sources in Genesis. They have somewhat conflicting viewpoints of creation. There are different beliefs when it comes to scripture which are commonly known as the debate or stance of 'inerrancy', and I fall in the middle of that line. I do not fully take the Bible literally, nor do I fully take it symbolically. I believe it, as most things in life, is a mixture. So, let me point that out first, and now if you want to talk about Adam and Eve, I'll be happy to speak with you.)
Goodness, well, I, as Mark Gungor, do not believe in 'soul mates'; however, there are those I believe God ordains to be together. There are those I believe God does not intend to be together. There are other cases of relationships (and otherwise) where it's our choice, and not necessarily a Divine Plan set by The ALMIGHTY. (At this point, some are possibly calling me things like a hypocrite, heretic, or heathen, but I still love ya! ^_^)
So, that said, how do you know the difference? Well, as most things in life, it's not a clear-cut answer. I pray, and try to diligently. I think, study, experience, talk with people, question...I do the very best I can to find a balance between my faith, understanding, experience, feelings, wisdom, knowledge, and every other thing that is a part of me and God's creation. If I feel, understand, am prompted toward God's approval, then I move forward.
Later on, I find out if I was wrong. Sometimes I was not. Sometimes I was. It's part of the difficulty of life. So, with all that, sometimes God has spoken to me (literally). Sometimes He catches my attention through promptings (sort of like feelings, but different), words of others, scripture, or a caution in my spirit.
All this to say, we do the best we can. There's no 'sure-fire' method or general experience. Love God with everything. Love others with everything. As you are out there and find someone, if they love God and others with everything like you...then ask God to see if you can both love together.
Two words from experience, though...
Not hearing a 'no' (as in things feel right, seem right, are all working out, but nothing on a spiritual level) from God is not the same as hearing a 'yes'. Hard lesson. Trust me.
Second, we're all broken. We all have 'stuff'. We're all different. Now, find someone who (if in God's plan) can love and be with you in spite of all that, and the same is true for you with them...and that's really all there is to it. There will be romance, but not this over-romantic dream-world. Life is not that. There are dreams. It is romantic, but reality is what's real. Real people. Real love. Real struggles. It's loving commitment...sometimes ecstasy...sometimes misery...just as with Christ. All the same, if it's in 'the proverbial cards' for you, then go for it! We only get one life.
I hope this was helpful, and thank you for posting!
