Hello, Talmidium
Welcome to CC!!!
It's good that you are actively serving in a church ministry, and that you are after a girl who desires to serve our LORD
I know that it is a guy's job to find his mate
after all, he who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains our GOD's favor (Proverbs 18:22). This verse applies to one to whom HE has genuinely placed the desire to marry in that person's heart. Meaning most of us XD
But, i would like to say that, first:
Don't let the statistics bother you. You pointed out "most" of the girls your age are either married, or interested with the things of GOD.
Most, but NOT all
so here's the second advice:
Don't settle!!!
There is nothing wrong with ending up with someone younger. But don't pursue them just because you see them as your
only viable option
I agree with hoss2576. That age group your considering still has to go through A LOT of significant life experiences that they need to shape their character, and determine how they see life and themselves, and how they would relate to others. You wouldn't want to end up with someone who's immature, and would make you feel more like a parent, or someone who's holding her back from so many things they would still want to experience or explore in her life.
You know what?
Rest easy. Our LORD knows EXACTLY what your heart desires. To the letter
and HE will grant you that, and so much more. Everything HE knows that will truly delight you AND be good for you. For everything HE does is for our good, and for HIS glory.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
In my case, when I stopped struggling, and learned to truly, completely entrust to Papa GOD every aspect of my life, including my love life (which I just couldn't submit to HIM at all for years), and to not worry about ending up with anybody at all (which was easier said than done XD I was mortified at the thought of ending up alone...dying alone. It was a grave source of depression and desperation in my life o.o
....when I finally saw that Papa GOD is ALL THAT I NEED, and the True Source of Joy and Delight in my life
that was when I finally received what my heart was crying for. True peace and comfort...true joy
True love, fashioned after HIS love
everything I have ever longed and hoped for, and everything I never expected. HE made the impossible happen!!!
I know you are familiar with this verse, but I hope you discover the hidden treasure I have found here:
Matthew 6:33 Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Last piece of advice, and the most important:
Focus on HIM.
There's nothing wrong with longing for that special someone. Nothing wrong with desiring to find her and be with her at last. Nothing wrong with looking. But don't let it be your focus. Don't let it be an idol in your life. It was mine, for many years....and in the process of wanting it so badly, I fell into A LOT of unnecessary heartache. And worse, I wasted so many years I could've come to know Father GOD and HIS Word more deeply and intimately...
i used to really dislike this verse, to be honest. I didn't like the idea of submitting my love life to HIM o.o; and I struggled so hard with seeking HIS kingdom. I never felt adequate or holy or righteous enough to want to seek HIM and HIS righteousness...I was just trying to follow this advice, in hopes of getting the supposed reward of HIM adding to me what I desired to get....I kept praying and demanding what I saw would make me happy. And, because I was so stubborn, HE did answer my prayer. I did get what I asked for, but at the same time, I didn't. I really just wanted to be happy....I thought I was. But in the end, I just became more miserable and broken with my choices.
When I finally learned to let go, and to truly focus on HIM and desire HIM, that was when that verse became clear to me. That was when I learned that IT IS THE BEST ADVICE THERE IS
Now, it's my favorite go-to verse
To set me straight and inspire me, and to help brethren in their struggles.
You see, I found the truth in that verse that I have been overlooking for so many years, all caught up in my pursuit of happiness....of that reward, that treasure that was supposed to fulfill me.
And what is the truth???
This: the our
LORD IS The Reward. The Treasure beyond compare
the One True Source of Joy, Fulfillment, Inspiration, and Love we could ever need!!!! Everything else that HE bestows upon us is just a bonus
at HIS perfect time, when HE sees that you are truly ready for that blessing of a mate (and when she is ready for you, too), HE Himself will bring you together
count on it.
I hope that, when you discover this beautiful truth, you'd start seeing life with fresh new eyes, expectant of what amazing and awe-inspiring thing HE would reveal to you, from day to day
dare to expect only the very best HE has in store for you, and so much more. Because our GOD, indeed, is an AWESOME GOD!!!!
[video]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x2B2PL7oapw[/video]