Most people to not comprehend that the thought of being able to "choose a soulmate" is actually the sign that there is a curse upon them.
The whole notion behind the term "soul-mate" (beshert), is that they are somehow connected at the soulish level, or in their spirit man.
Where did this thought originate, that someone gets to choose who their soul-mate will be?
It originated the same place that all lies to, with Sahtahn (satan).
Why do people think that their soul-mate can be "chosen based upon criterion associated with the senses, and the external flesh?
Why do people, who claim to be believers who walk by faith and not by sight, demand to see a picture before they decide if it is God's will for someone to be in their life, and bed?
Why is it that all of the criterion, that people want to use in selecting their mate, sensual, if they are seeking a mate connected at the soul?
Isn't God, Who hung the moon, stars, and all planets, with their boundaries, capable of sending someone to someone, regardless of what they desire?
Isn't it arrogant, to think that you possess the power to shape your life?
Isn't it wicked, to think that one can shape their life according to what they want?
How is it, that one can be a soul-mate, but be chosen because of their appearance, and whether or not they are "hot", or sensually titillating?
If Rebekah went to Isaac, without seeing him, and accept it as the Will of God/Elohim, then why do all of these "believers" today think that they get to cast the deciding vote...?
The truth is, that one who thinks that they get to "cast the deciding vote" is actually cursed, by thinking that they and not God, rule the World.
No picture of themselves simply means they're not taking this dating thing seriously - every dating website says that having a photo (even a bad one) increases your chance tenfold. Considering how difficult online dating is anyway, why would you deliberately choose to stymie your chances, unless you aren't serious?
And as for Isaac- Rebekah wasn't a roll-of-a-dice gamble; Abraham's servant was sent to pick out a woman and he would have known at least some of Isaac's preferences and tastes. As it happens, the servant, when he saw Rebekah, saw she was beautiful and "hurried to meet her". He picked the woman, God confirmed she was the one. If Rebekah had been a total minger then would the servant still have asked her for a drink?
"No picture of themselves simply means they're not taking this dating thing seriously - every dating website says that having a photo (even a bad one) increases your chance tenfold."...?
What do you think men and women did, before there were cameras, or dating sites, or email, or snailmail?
Do you truly think to circumvent the eternal plans of the Living God, and "increase your chances tenfold"..?
Do you think that He is not capable of doing that which men think only desire, persuasion and a photograph can do?
Lol, putting a photo of myself doesn't circumvent anyone's plan and certainly not those of the Lord of the universe! You don't want a photo on your profile, fine, but don't go claiming it's for some spiritual reason and those with photos don't trust God with their relationships.
"Isn't it wicked, to think that one can shape their life according to what they want?"
No, it is not wicked. The reason why God gave us a brain is for us to use it. Furthermore, if you can shape your own life, then I would say that you are blessed. Many people don't get to do that. There are many people in this world who feel stuck in their circumstances. They feel they cannot shape their own lives but their environment shapes their lives. And I think, that's a curse. Freedom is a good thing. And when you cannot shape your own life but someone else shapes it for you, then that's a sign you're missing freedom.
You also wrote about finding our soul mates and why we look on the outward appearance, etc.
Listen, this whole dating thing is wired into the human brain. The way people and other living creatures work is that we seek out the strongest, smartest, nicest, kindest, prettiest, healthiest partner that we can find. You shouldn't blame people for that. This is the way we work. You don't want to marry a frog, do you? So, outward appearance does matter. Of course, if we were living in a culture where arranged marriages are the norm, then we would probably go with our traditions. I don't know where you live, but in my culture, we have to find our partners ourselves. Others aren't going to do it for us, so we have to do it ourselves. This has some advantages and disadvantages, of course. Everybody is different in some ways, so all of us aren't looking for the exact same woman or the exact same man. But we all look for someone who appears intelligent, healthy, etc... you get the point. By the way, I don't think that you should put so much emphasis on the word "soul mate." Marriage is about love. You either love someone or you don't. Of course, people can easily and naturally co-exist with some people but not with others. We also have to find a partner that is a good fit. In other words, if two people are roommates and can't get along at all, then those people would not make a good couple, I think.
It's nuts to think that God will make all of my life decisions for me or that He will bring everything I need to me even if I pray for it. God is not that involved in every moment of our lives. we have been given a brain a mind and a heart all of which can be used to make our own decisions. The Bible is loaded with examples of people making decisions for themselves and sometimes things worked out and sometimes they didn't. They weren't waiting around for God to come along to do anything for them.
I don't think people choose a soul mate. I think they are found. There is a knowing between two people like a resonation or vibration that did not exist with them before they met but exists now and especially whenever they are together. I don't think God will necessarily choose my soul mate for me. There are many soul mates available for me and not just one out there.
You ask, "Isn't it wicked, to think that one can shape their life according to what they want?" No it isn't. It is clear that the Bible teaches that a person is what they think. Our thoughts create a world for us to live in. Our thinking is what creates our reality. They are the lens through which we see the world. It is our thoughts that bring things into existence in our lives and our world. You have what you have because you thought you wanted or needed it. You visualized it and released the thoughts about how you would feel with it in your possession and the response was that you now have it. It came to you because you had thought about it before it arrived, whether or not it was a purchase you made or a gift. It would not exist for you if it had not first been a thought. Your life is the way it is because of the way you think. You think that you don't need a picture on your profile of yourself and yet it has been proven that a picture increases your chances of being contacted or responded to when on a dating sight. You think you don't need a picture because God will bring the right person to you. It could happen, but it isn't likely. We must acknowledge the fact that people are physically attracted to each other. It is something that is built into our DNA. I think you should stand outside with an empty glass and see if God will put water in it before you die of thirst. I doubt that God works like that and I doubt that not having a picture on your profile will ensure that only God will bring some one into your life on a dating site.
(No picture of themselves simply means they're not taking this dating thing seriously - every dating website says that having a photo (even a bad one) increases your chance tenfold. Considering how difficult online dating is anyway, why would you deliberately choose to stymie your chances, unless you aren't serious?)
I dont have a picture because of a negative incident. I used to use AOL when I first got online. I got into an argument in a Christian chat room with a homosexual. He lifted my picture and put it on every homosexual site he could find.
It took years to get them removed and I actually had to involve lawyers and the police. I was never that stupid again. I dont even have my picture on any social networking sites, either.
