Around this time right now. God is receiving many prayers from unmarried women asking one simple question,“WHERE IS MY BOAZ?” So many women (including myself) are walking around forcing themselves to be a Ruth to a Boaz they never have met or may never meet. Now, before you raise your eyebrow and get all defensive. The story of Ruth and Boaz is an incredible steadfast love story to give us all hope. I’m definitely not disregarding their story whatsoever. But what if the qualities of Boaz isn’t enough for a woman like you? Exactly, who are you waiting for? What qualities will your mate have that will force you to rise to the occasion? 

I am completely captured by the author Charles R. Swindoll. He has written incredible stories of great characters out of the bible. His writing aesthetic on each character of his choosing is literally breathe taking, even life changing for someone like me. In one of his series he retold the story of Joseph: The man of Integrity and Forgiveness, which is where I found a new respect on a childhood story. Everyone knows the story of Joseph and how he was his father’s favorite, the most envied out of the pack of brothers he had and how he literally rose from the pit to the palace to save a nation. Yeah, yeah, yeah, great story and all but as a woman I saw something deeper. Joseph’s characteristics literally made my spirit leap. I completely fell in love with a man that has been deceased for centuries. What was it that made me so mesmerized by Joseph?

His character and ability to follow God’s law no matter the circumstances.

Out of the many, many, MANY low points of his life Joseph remained humble and allowed God to get the glory in every high that he experienced. He had the ability to see God in everything that was happening even if there was no understanding. God’s favor was on him from the moment of his birth, to being sold by his brothers, from being accused of rape, being forgotten in a dungeon and being promoted to Prime Minister of Egypt. The most amazing thing about him besides his humility but his ability to forgive when ALL would have been revengeful. You know why Joseph could be so humble?

Because his heart had been broken. Because he had been tried by the fire of affliction. Because while his external circumstances seemed almost unbearable during those years, his internal conviction had been turned into pure gold. These are the benefits of enduring affliction with one’s eyes on God.

Whoa! A man like that has to be God sent.

Not only is he forgiving, humble, and favored; but now he’s enduring as well. See I don’t know about any of the other unmarried women I know but I definitely need a man that can surely lead naturally but spiritually as well. We have to be equally yoked in order for the purpose to be fulfilled. And just to set it off even more. In Genesis 41:50-52 it reads,“Now before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore to him. And Joseph named the first-born Manasseh, “For,” he said,“God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” And he named the second Ephraim, “For,” he said,“God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”This man gives God glory in EVERYTHING that he does. Boaz is cool and all but Joseph though!

If you’re waiting for your Boaz that’s great and all but not every man is him and not every woman is a Ruth. We all have very unique qualities about ourselves that matches a different cut of a man of God for us all. I encourage my unmarried sisters to look deeper than skin and Boaz if you can.

Just maybe your mate is in the middle of his affliction and being tested for a prosperous life for you both.