Sometimes life is frustrating…
It can feel like one closed door after another. And if you’re single, it can feel like that a lot.
You meet a guy, you get your hopes up and he disappears … the only thing you is crickets.
Or, you meet a guy, you date and it feels so forced so it crumbles into nothing.
Or, you meet a great guy, you totally click but you don’t share the same beliefs.
I could go on, and on about the different scenarios but I think you get the point. It’s easy to lose hope. It’s exhausting to try, but you feel like you have to keep trying.
A few days ago, I was reminded of a letter I received. About four years ago, I came home from the office and saw a letter for me from someone with a Georgia address. I thought it was from my sister Rachel, but it didn’t look like her handwriting. I looked at it again and saw a name I didn’t recognize — as in never saw it before in my life. Yet, my name was on the letter.
I dropped my stuff beside my bed and quickly jumped in bed to read the letter from this mystery person.
He introduced himself in the letter and shared a little bit about himself. He was in the army. I later found out He graduated from a very prestigious military academy and was being training to be a platoon leader.
He attended my sister’s church and in Rachel like fashion, she saw that he was single and asked if he wouldn’t mind writing a letter to me to encourage me. And to mine and my sister’s surprise, he did.
In the letter he shared the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19. It’s when Elijah is running from Jezebel because she’s killing prophets left and right. Elijah was on the run, afraid and prayed to die. An angel came to him and brought him food and led him to the cave.
It’s in that cave that the Lord reveals Himself, but not before Elijah is essentially crying out to God saying, I’ve done this and that for you and now I’m being hunted as an animal. I am the ONLY ONE LEFT. Can’t singleness can feel that way sometimes? I’ve been waiting and served you and others and I feel like I’m the only one left.
Then the Lord appears to Elijah in a still small voice and then says, “Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” (Verse 18)
So, this mystery man wrote me this letter to let me know there were still good guys out there that were seeking the Lord’s will. They weren’t all married yet and they hadn’t fallen for the culture’s lies.
I got to meet this man during one of my overseas trip as he was stationed in a country I happened to be visiting. He was a great tour guide. He has a big heart and ambitious dreams. He is now married and plugging away at his many hobbies. But it truly was a privilege to meet him. I mean what guy would take the time to write a letter to a complete stranger just to remind her that there are still really good guys around.
Lately, that letter has been on my mind. I went through my stuff to find it but I had no luck… I’m sure it will turn up some day. But until then, I’ll remember his words— There are still 7,000 that haven’t bowed to Baal.
