Understanding Preparation
Many of us who are intentionally dating for marriage have likely found ourselves praying for our future husband or asking God for specific qualities we desire in a spouse. While there is nothing wrong with these prayers, I want to shift the focus inward for a moment. Let me ask you this: What does preparation mean to you, and are you willing to surrender yourself to Christ in order to be truly ready for your helpmate?
Preparation is often overlooked because we are so focused on receiving the best. But how can we expect the best if we are not also becoming the best version of ourselves? This realization recently became clear to me when I noticed that I had countless prayers for my future husband’s preparation for me, yet very few prayers for my own preparation for him.
Your ordained spouse is just as much God’s child as you are, and he deserves a woman who is intentionally seeking God’s guidance and growing in character. In 2 Peter 1:5–8 (NLT), we are encouraged:
“In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
This passage reveals a clear path for character development—one that transforms us to be more like Christ. We must ask God to remove anything within us that would not serve our future marriage and instead cultivate the fruit needed to support and anchor our partner.
The friends God has placed in my life during this season are married, and one thing they consistently do is pray for their husbands. This selfless act flows from their willingness to position themselves with discernment—allowing God to guide their hearts and intercede on behalf of their spouses.
Positioning Yourself with Wisdom
Remember when I mentioned we would discuss the story of Ruth? This is where her story becomes especially meaningful. Ruth is a powerful example of a woman who remained focused on her purpose—so much so that her obedience positioned her to be recognized by her ordained spouse in God’s perfect timing.
Ruth exemplifies humility and unwavering faithfulness, not only toward God but also toward her mother-in-law, Naomi. In Ruth 1:16, she declares:
“Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” (NLT)
Ruth’s dedication did not go unnoticed. Her willingness to work diligently allowed God to use Naomi as a guide, ultimately orchestrating a divine encounter between Ruth and Boaz (Ruth 3:1–16).
Without hesitation, Ruth followed the instructions given to her. After all the preparation leading up to that moment, God positioned her to receive His best.
After the encounter, Naomi reassures Ruth with confidence, saying:
“Just be patient, my daughter, until we hear what happens. The man won’t rest until he has settled things today.” (Ruth 3:18, NLT)
In this moment, Naomi affirms that Ruth’s obedience has been recognized, and now it is time to wait on God to complete what He has begun. Naomi understood Boaz’s character and trusted that he was a man of integrity who would not leave matters unresolved.
Ruth’s faithful obedience ultimately led her to marry Boaz, and together they had a child:
“And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.” (Ruth 4:17, NLT)
When we remain faithful and work diligently within the purpose God has set for each season, He provides abundantly—often beyond what we can imagine. God is always working behind the scenes, directing every step, every encounter, and every test to shape us into who He has called us to be.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28, NLT)