Sitting on the train, tears welled up in my eyes as I silently embraced the disappointment. It was 2017 and I had just been notified that I did not get the role I had applied for at Adventist Media. I knew the interview panel was considering myself and another young lady from our church for the position, and despite how much I wanted the role, I reached out to the other candidate and prayed with her, asking God to govern the decision.
I couldn’t help but question God, wondering why I had not been chosen, despite my passion to serve in that role. But I remembered my prayer surrendering the decision to God and reminded myself that God knew what He was doing.
Although I didn’t get the job, I refused to give up. Three months and several interviews passed and I remained unemployed. My family began pressuring me to return to China. I wrestled with God, wondering why I was facing so many closed doors despite my skills, work ethic and strong desire to serve Him in a church organisation. Thankfully, my church family was incredibly supportive. They prayed for me every week and kindly advised me to consider non-church roles; however, I was resolute in my decision to serve the Church. With each disappointment, Joshua 1:9 ran through my mind to uplift me.
Finally, after three months, God opened a door for me at the North New South Wales Conference with an assistant accountant role—an opportunity even better than the one I had initially applied for. I’ve told those around me, “God has not forgotten me; He has something even greater in store for me.” This experience deepened my faith, taught me humility and reinforced the truth that if God doesn’t give you what you want, it’s because He has something better in store.
In 2023, after studying and working in Australia for 10 years, I decided to take a career break to spend time with my parents in China. While visiting, my parents cherished my presence but were anxious about my singleness. Friends and relatives, in kindness, tried to help with matchmaking. I truly appreciated their efforts, however I told them I was a Seventh-day Adventist and believed the future husband God had prepared for me would also be a Seventh-day Adventist. This requirement made their great matchmaking efforts ineffective.
In 2009, two Seventh-day Adventist friends prayed that God would prepare a godly husband for me. From the moment they prayed, I believed God had someone prepared for me. Fifteen years have passed since that prayer, and although I have yet to meet the one God has prepared, I never doubt that God has someone for me. My faith has grown stronger while waiting by reading the Bible and building a closer relationship with God, trusting in His timing.
Just as Jacob waited 14 years to marry Rachel (Genesis 29:14-30), I have learned that waiting requires patience. Every year, my mother asks, “When will God send the one He has prepared for you?” My response is always, “Soon and very soon.” Now that I am 38, you can imagine how many times we’ve had this conversation! This year, however, I boldly declared, “In 2025, God will send the one He prepared for me by faith!” (Hebrews 11:1). Over the years, my mother’s concerns have shifted from worry to prayer. This transformation reflects the powerful work of the Holy Spirit.
Many young people in the Church are waiting for God to bring partners into their lives. This reminds me of my job search experience —one application after another, one interview after another, one rejection after another. Yet no matter how discouraged I felt, I never doubted that God had a job for me. Faith, combined with action, led me to the role He had prepared for me. God never forsakes those who love Him.
When it comes to finding a future spouse, many of us wait on God without knowing what else we can do. Should we also take proactive steps, just as we do when applying for jobs?
This year, I have been thinking about how I can help single Adventists like me meet their future spouses. Could I start a new ministry to support them? This has become my prayer request for 2025. If you have any advice or ideas, please feel free to contact me at <nashangq@gmail.com>.
If you are also in a season of waiting—whether for a job, a future spouse or another blessing—know that you are not alone. Let’s uplift one another in prayer and trust in God’s perfect timing. May we continue to take delight in the Lord, knowing He will fulfil the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4).
Na Shang writes from Adelaide, SA.
