I Waited for You

One of the things that has brought comfort in this “season of singleness” is the fact that there are many others having the same experiences. Many others who are fabulous, amazing individuals who could be dating or courting or “kickin it”. But they don’t. Because they desire something greater. One of those individuals is Janette McGhee aka Janette…ikz. This woman is a BEAST on the mic. Her poetry is clean cut, precise, and the weapon of the word slices through the atmosphere like a two edged sword when she speaks. But you know what’s even better than her gift of poetry?

Her heart.

And her character.

And her love for Yeshua.

She released a poem a few years back called “I Will Wait for You”. In this piece she declares that she is done with settling and she will wait for the man God has for her. If He in fact, has one for her. She goes on in very great detail to describe this man and his attributes. Then she describes herself:

I am Sarah

I am Rebekah, a servant’s answered prayer

Bone of your bone, flesh of your flesh

You will find me where the boldness of Esther meets the warm closeness of Ruth

The hospitality of Lydia is aligned with the submission of Mary which is engulfed in the tears of a praying Hannah

I will be the one drenched in Proverbs 31… 

These were beautiful words painting vivid pictures of the essence of God’s intention of woman when He first thought of Eve. I think Holy Spirit gave her some great revelation of man and woman in this piece. Her description of her future spouse is just as revealing of real manhood.

And God did have marriage for Janette…ikz. He did have a man who would be suited for her to continue growing in manifesting her eternal identity in the earth. His name is Matthew. Janette and Matthew were married Sept. 27, 2014. During the ceremony Janette shared her vows in the form of a poetry piece. This piece is the sequel of “I Will Wait for You” and is titled “I Waited for You”. There is so much that strikes me when viewing their ceremony. I am touched by the humility, strength, and beauty that is emanating from both parties’ vows as well as their intention to dispel the myths of the purpose of marriage. It is clear that their goal is to teach others that the intention of a marriage covenant is not selfishness, but selflessness. It is so refreshing for me to see that such a young man would have this revelation standing at the altar. I am also blessed to see this teaching in the black church.

Janette…ikz delivers her vows, her spirit engulfed in humility learned by life experience. Her understanding of God’s ways enlightened by her courtship with Matthew…

Did you know that I’m not her…

I was still wounded…

I was in a relationship with pain…

You wore patience like a tailored suit… 

She professes that the proverbs 31 woman she so confidently spoke of 3 years earlier did not exist. She was not her. She was mean and difficult and a challenge for Matthew to court. But he courted her anyway. His patience and gentleness and endurance met the road blocks she kept trying to throw his way. Isn’t that the picture of Christ? To pursue, pursue, pursue while we push Him away? Our wounds and our issues and our fears cause us to be the runaway bride, but His love eventually wins us over and we find ourselves engaged to Him.

I disagree with Janette that she is not the woman of Proverbs 31. I do believe that in fact she is her eternally. But often, there is a gap between the eternals and what is on earth. What God sees in the heavenlies may not line up in the natural. That is why Jesus stands in the gap. He is the great intercessor. He is always praying for us that we will manifest our callings in this life. No matter the opposition. No matter the pain. No matter the fiery darts from the wicked one.

I have never met Janette. I did get to see her perform live some years ago and was touched by her gifts and heart for Christ. But viewing her testimony from a far has encouraged me in so many ways. It is a blessing to know that God can lay the foundation of character and the eternals in a relationship and that a couple can reap the fruits of their labor at the altar. And on their wedding night.

If you want to check out their wedding click here.  If you fast forward to 1:50 you will see their vows.  It’s a 2 hour ceremony so unless you have time I would recommend fast forwarding :-).

SHALOM