6 Ways God Directed Her to The One

Emily sat alone in her car, watching the rain streak down the windshield like tears her heart hadn’t shed—yet. She had just said goodbye to Daniel, again.

They weren’t dating. Not officially. But they weren’t not dating either. It had been seven months of late-night texts, shared prayers, coffee dates that felt like more than friendship but less than a real commitment.

She prayed a lot. But she was tired of trying to decode God’s will in the fog of uncertainty.

“Lord,” she whispered, gripping the steering wheel, “if you want me with Daniel, I need more than feelings. I need clear direction.”

Here are 6 ways God will direct you towards the one.

1. Mutual Interest, Commitment, and Progression

Emily remembered the first time she met Daniel. They were volunteering at a college ministry event. His smile was easy, his laugh genuine, and he actually listened when she spoke. They exchanged numbers “for ministry stuff,” but their messages quickly became personal.

But something was missing.

Every time Emily tried to talk about where the relationship was headed, Daniel would dodge.

“I’m just praying about everything right now,” he would say. “Trying to guard my heart and yours.”

But Emily wasn’t asking for a proposal. She just wanted honesty. She began to realize something: while she was deeply interested, Daniel might only be a little curious.

One night after their weekly Bible study, Emily gathered her courage.

“Daniel,” she said, “I care about you. But I need clarity. Are you genuinely interested in building something together? Because if not, I can’t keep investing my heart here.”

Daniel’s face fell. After a pause, he said, “I’ve enjoyed getting to know you, but I don’t think I’m ready for more. Not now.”

It hurt. But it was also a gift. It was the clarity she had asked God to give her.

Mutual interest. Mutual commitment. Mutual progress. Without all three, a relationship just isn’t going to happen.

Amos 3:3, “Can two walk together unless they are agreed?”

2. God Will Make the Relationship Practically Possible

Months passed. Emily was still single, but now she was free from all the confusion that had plagued her when Daniel was in her life. She started graduate school, got involved in a new church, and even led a women’s group. Then, unexpectedly, she met someone else.

His name was Josh. He was kind, consistent, and unapologetically serious about Jesus. Their first conversation wasn’t electric, but it was a meaningful conversation about a biblical topic from that week’s sermon at church.

They ran into each other again at a worship night. Then again at a friend’s game night. Over time, conversation turned into connection.

Unlike Daniel, Josh was direct. When he asked her to coffee, he said, “I’d love to get to know you better. I’ve been praying about starting something intentional with you.”

But Emily hesitated. Her heart was cautious, still healing. But everything about this felt right—yet she didn’t want to rush.

Therefore, she prayed for a practical sign—something small, just to know if this was the next right step.

Two days later, her internship coordinator unexpectedly reassigned her to a site ten minutes from Josh’s neighborhood—instead of across town.

It felt random. But, also, not random at all. After a few more outings together, Josh asked her to be his girlfriend, and she accepted.

Proverbs 16:9, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

3. Biblical Confirmation

One night, Josh asked, “Would you like to read Philippians together for the next few weeks? I want our relationship to be rooted in truth.”

That night, the verse that stood out to her was Philippians 2:4, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Josh lived this. When her car broke down, he left work early to help her. And he didn’t need any fanfare. When she was nervous before a presentation, he prayed with her over the phone.

It wasn’t a fantasy. It wasn’t “God told me you’re the one.” Josh was showing a quiet obedience and godly consistency.

4. Helpful Trials That Build, Not Break

It wasn’t all easy. Three months into dating, Josh got an offer to serve on a mission’s trip . . . in Thailand . . . for six weeks!

Emily’s first instinct was panic. What if the distance ruined everything? What if this was just like Daniel— something that fades?

But Josh sat her down and said, “I want to be clear. I want you to know I’m still with you in this. This trip doesn’t change that.”

While he was away, communication wasn’t perfect. The time difference was rough. And one week, he got food poisoning and went totally silent.

Emily prayed, cried, and questioned. But the silence didn’t undo the foundation they’d already built. Therefore, when he came back, they were stronger—not weaker.

James 1:2-4, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

5. Mutual Desire to Sacrifice

Now it had been almost a year. Josh had just graduated and got a job as a computer engineer, and Emily was swamped with her thesis. Life was full, busy, tiring.

But every Friday night, without fail, Josh would show up with her favorite coffee and sit with her as she worked. He would just sit near her, silently reading a book or streaming a show with his headphones on.

“You don’t have to be here,” she said one night, bleary-eyed from research.

“I know,” he smiled, “but I want to be. Relationships aren’t built by convenience. They’re built by sacrifice.”

That same week, Emily skipped her weekend plans to attend the launch party of a new ministry at church that Josh helped start. She wasn’t just supporting him. She was choosing to walk with him, just like he was choosing to walk with her.

They weren’t just feeling lovey. They were choosing to love.

Romans 12:10, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

6. You’ll Never Have All the Answers, But You Can Still Choose to Love

After a year of dating, Emily still didn’t have every answer about the future. But she had something better than perfect clarity. She had peace.

After another 6 months of dating, however, Emily and Josh both realized something. They would never have all the answers.

Eventually, love requires you to make a choice to step into the unknown with someone, committing to be there for each other no matter what happens.

When they both realized they were ready to commit like that to each other, Josh proposed and she said yes.

Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

If you’re a Christian single woman who wants to be pursued by a godly man, my new book is for you. It’s called Invite Him: 16 Rules from Ruth to Help Your Future Husband Find You.