Romance Idols
I wanted so much to be in a relationship when I first read Elyse Fitzpatrick’s book Because He Loves Me last year. From where I stood, it seemed like if only I could have a man of my own, then my life would suddenly become perfect.
Whether our treasured idol is comfort, romance, respect, security, or significance, we worship these false gods because we believe that if we obtained them, we’d finally be happy. (pg. 134)
I had circled the primary “treasured idol” of my life: romance. I underlined “we’d finally be happy“ and drew a line from that to the word “romance”.
If I had romance, I would finally be happy, had been my thought. But after reading this book, God began to illuminate my thinking. Idols aren’t just figurines we bow down to; they are whatever our heart treasures more than God.
The premise of Because He Loves Me is that in order to gain godliness, we need to not focus on changing ourselves; but rather, we need to focus of the gospel—what God has accomplished for us and how much He loves us. When we realize how deeply we’ve been loved, our lives begin to orbit around God.
I find that I can love others because I have been so loved. I find that I don’t covet, because I know that God is good and He gives me all I need. I find that I want for nothing, because God fulfills my deepest desires.
But it’s so easy for me to forget His love! When I do, my mind starts to wander: If only I had (you fill in the blank!)…
In glancing through Because He Loves Me again today, I remembered the false expectations I had for romance before I started courting.
I’m not saying that it’s not fun to be engaged. It’s great, and I’d have my life no other way. It’s such a thrill to hear, “I love you. You’re so precious to me.” on the phone. It’s wonderful to watch the sunset at the beach with him by my side. It’s exciting to get a letter in the mail in his precise handwriting, “Trent… Theresa.” I love looking at my beautiful diamond ring and think about the fun times ahead of us. I get a kick out of putting on makeup when we’re together because he leans against the wall and gazes at me with a “you really don’t have to do that” smile. And then we both laugh when I curl my eyelashes because he gave me such a hard time for doing such a pointless thing.
I expected that once I got engaged, we would constantly have dates at Italian restaurants and walk along softly-lit waterfront paths. We’ve realized that dressing up and going out to eat is not only expensive, but also stressful. We enjoy ourselves so much more in our jeans at his house eating his mom’s good home cooking. For us, “dates” aren’t usually planned events. They just happen when we’re together, whether we’re getting Subway and eating it at the beach, or going on a walk, or watching a movie, doing dishes, or just sitting and talking.
Now, my mind often wanders to marriage, and I idolize it—just as I once idolized a courtship. When I find myself doing this, I have to take myself aside and tell myself that someday marriage will be a reality, just as courtship is now a reality.
But life won’t suddenly become perfect on our wedding day. I’m sure it will be wonderful, but not like I’m thinking.
So what do I look to that will provide me with happiness and fulfillment?
God, of course.
He’s the answer to every question. If I’m always looking to my circumstances to bring happiness, I’ll constantly be dissatisfied.
So even now, during my engagement, I’m reminding myself, don’t wish your life away!
Photo by Laura J. Wright
Great post–thank you for sharing!
I agree 🙂 Circumstances shouldn’t dictate whether we are joyful or not.
Wow! Thanks so much for sharing this! I am 19 also and that’s just what I needed to hear…especially at this point in my life. And I’m not going into anymore detail than that! 😉 I’m gonna check out that book! God bless you for sharing!
This is so refreshing to hear from someone my own age! I don’t mean to criticize older women because I do believe them and very much value their opinions. But to see someone my age recognizing that being in a relationship isn’t everything is very encouraging! We are already in a relationship with the most perfect man we will ever find. And we didn’t even find Him! So thank you for sharing with us =) And may God bless your relationship and continually display His love towards you both, even through your relationship with each other.
Wow! I so totally agree! I was shocked after I got married because NOTHING CHANGED! I was still JUST ME! I didn’t transform into some wonderful person all the sudden! All I had was the foundation I had already been laying before marriage to build on!
It’s amazing how many expectations we didn’t know we had begin popping up when life changes that drastically. Even now I look back at my little dreams and smile. Things are so different and so much harder than I thought they’d be.
But that’s part of the adventure right? 🙂
Much Love!
Thank you so much for that post!!!! I really needed to be reminded to not to make an idol out of romance. It’s easy to do when you’re seventeen…
I have heard you say it so many times Therese, but it is neat to see it written down here. Thanks for all the wise counsel that you have given to me.
Wow! Great job communicating that! I was so confused when I started dating/courting (it was a mixture) and realized that my life was not turned upside down! I think it is really interesting how I tried really hard not to have the expectations like going out to dinner and what not because I knew that those expectations could potentially hurt a relationship. However, I found out that I had a lot more expectations than I realized! Like the commentator before me said marriage is just life. It is fabulous, but it is still LIFE! 🙂
Great post! I really enjoyed it! 🙂
I got married on January first and this post put into words what I’ve been trying to tell my single friends when they ask, “What is marriage REALLY like?” It’s hard to get the point across that marriage is just LIFE. A great, wonderful, wonderful part of life, but not the idol that so many girl (myself included) made out it. Thanks for this post. I appreciate your perspective!
That was great Theresa! Just in time, a priceless word that we so easily forget! God bless you!
Hmmm… I really enjoyed reading that. Very good post, and quite thought provoking! 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Theresa…good words. 🙂