I believe it is highly possible I could be misunderstanding the majority view in this thread. So if I do misrepresent it below, please grant me loving Christian forgiveness in advance (now that is a great disclaimer if I've ever heard one - lol).
If the phrase "Does God have a soul mate for me?" means "Is the person I'm going to end up marrying the person God has already planned for me to be with, and will bring about that relationship by the power of His will and providence for His own purposes and glory", then yes I would agree wholeheartedly. And why would I say that - because of one other phrase "God's sovereignty".
I am well aware by reading through the Bible Discussion forums over the years that there are practically as many definitions of God's "sovereignty" as there are active members on CC (that means a lot!!!).
So I will answer the question "Does God have a soulmate for me?" with what I believe the word "sovereignty" means regarding God. From what I've read in this thread, I honestly don't know how the majority of the people here would actually define God's sovereignty (perhaps that is how this whole discussion should have started at the very beginning).
I take God's sovereignty literally in every sense of the word - which would be "God is in control of His creation, and has created all of it (including us and the major aspects of our lives) for His purposes and glory, and He will bring about His own purposes in our lives according to His power and will." Now I would probably get some (or at least a couple) of "Amens" for that statement, but then it sames those same people would then say "But God has no control/say or hand in regarding who I should/will marry". Which then would confuse me all over again.
Would the majority of people here say "Yes, I totally believe in God's sovereignty, but.................. not when it comes to my marriage". It seems that is what most here are saying (again, I could be wrong about your views, but it does at least seem that is what is being stated here over and over again).
Is God sovereign over which job and career you will have, but He is not sovereign over who you will marry?
Is God sovereign over which ministry you will be in to best serve Him, but He is not sovereign over who you will marry?
Is God sovereign over........................ I think you get my point here.
Or do you take the extreme view and say "God is not sovereign over anything in my life".
I believe there are only four possible options to take regarding God's sovereignty:
1. God is sovereign over everything in my life, from beginning to end (which is the view I hold to)
2. God is sovereign over some things in my life, but just the small things, not the major things like marriage.
3. God tries to be sovereign over my life, but I am able to stop Him and thwart His plans and create my own life.
4. God is not sovereign at all, it's not one of His attributes.
(If there are more options regarding God's sovereignty, then definitely add them to this list).
Perhaps if the majority view stated which definition of God's sovereignty they hold, that would then clear up a lot of the confusion (at least the confusion in my own mind) as to why most people hear reject the concept of God planning our marriages in advance and determining who we marry.
Okay, my post is getting way too long, and I'd prefer to leave the long "Wall of Posts" to AzureAfire (she's much better and more willing at writing them).
Again, please forgive me if I've misrepresented anyones views here. That is surely not my intent.
Having said all that, "Live Long and Prosper"
"I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
- Jeremiah 29:11
P.S. Hey, that verse leads to a question that could be helpful in this thread. How do you all interpret God's word "plans" specifically regarding our lives? Is it just "hopes" He has for us, or just "ideas" that He would like to run across us and see if we approve and will allow Him to fulfill? Of does it mean His overarching sovereignty which He Himself will absolutely bring to pass in our lives for His own purposes, and nothing can or will stop Him?
Okay, seriously, I am done now. It's my bed time. You kids have a goodnight, and don't stay up too late!!!
If the phrase "Does God have a soul mate for me?" means "Is the person I'm going to end up marrying the person God has already planned for me to be with, and will bring about that relationship by the power of His will and providence for His own purposes and glory", then yes I would agree wholeheartedly. And why would I say that - because of one other phrase "God's sovereignty".
I am well aware by reading through the Bible Discussion forums over the years that there are practically as many definitions of God's "sovereignty" as there are active members on CC (that means a lot!!!).
So I will answer the question "Does God have a soulmate for me?" with what I believe the word "sovereignty" means regarding God. From what I've read in this thread, I honestly don't know how the majority of the people here would actually define God's sovereignty (perhaps that is how this whole discussion should have started at the very beginning).
I take God's sovereignty literally in every sense of the word - which would be "God is in control of His creation, and has created all of it (including us and the major aspects of our lives) for His purposes and glory, and He will bring about His own purposes in our lives according to His power and will." Now I would probably get some (or at least a couple) of "Amens" for that statement, but then it sames those same people would then say "But God has no control/say or hand in regarding who I should/will marry". Which then would confuse me all over again.
Would the majority of people here say "Yes, I totally believe in God's sovereignty, but.................. not when it comes to my marriage". It seems that is what most here are saying (again, I could be wrong about your views, but it does at least seem that is what is being stated here over and over again).
Is God sovereign over which job and career you will have, but He is not sovereign over who you will marry?
Is God sovereign over which ministry you will be in to best serve Him, but He is not sovereign over who you will marry?
Is God sovereign over........................ I think you get my point here.
Or do you take the extreme view and say "God is not sovereign over anything in my life".
I believe there are only four possible options to take regarding God's sovereignty:
1. God is sovereign over everything in my life, from beginning to end (which is the view I hold to)
2. God is sovereign over some things in my life, but just the small things, not the major things like marriage.
3. God tries to be sovereign over my life, but I am able to stop Him and thwart His plans and create my own life.
4. God is not sovereign at all, it's not one of His attributes.
(If there are more options regarding God's sovereignty, then definitely add them to this list).
Perhaps if the majority view stated which definition of God's sovereignty they hold, that would then clear up a lot of the confusion (at least the confusion in my own mind) as to why most people hear reject the concept of God planning our marriages in advance and determining who we marry.
Okay, my post is getting way too long, and I'd prefer to leave the long "Wall of Posts" to AzureAfire (she's much better and more willing at writing them).
Again, please forgive me if I've misrepresented anyones views here. That is surely not my intent.
Having said all that, "Live Long and Prosper"
"I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
- Jeremiah 29:11
P.S. Hey, that verse leads to a question that could be helpful in this thread. How do you all interpret God's word "plans" specifically regarding our lives? Is it just "hopes" He has for us, or just "ideas" that He would like to run across us and see if we approve and will allow Him to fulfill? Of does it mean His overarching sovereignty which He Himself will absolutely bring to pass in our lives for His own purposes, and nothing can or will stop Him?
Okay, seriously, I am done now. It's my bed time. You kids have a goodnight, and don't stay up too late!!!
I prayed to find a husband, I knew my husband a little before we started dating. It probably wasn't an accident that we both were single again at the same time and saw each other once more, do I think God led me in his direction? Yes, am I glad I made the choice to date and get to know Dave?, Yes. However Dave could have said, I don't like this woman in that way, I'm marrying someone else, free will.
I don't believe in pre destination, I might be wrong, but I just think you can choose the right or wrong path. I've chosen the wrong path before, I thank God I came back to the right path.
I'm not disagreeing with you, but the idea of soul mate seems off to me. When we die we go to Heaven, I'm sure you love people in Heaven, but it's going to be different. Doesn't mean I won't see or talk to my husband in heaven, but the legal marriage term we have on earth won't be there. Not that people will be hooking up and dating in Heaven, but it's going to be different. How different, I don't know, I haven't died yet, so I couldn't tell you.
By the way I'm also impressed that someone from the Sears catalog thinks so deeply.