~ Appreciating Singleness - A Gift & Calling from God ~
Friend, have you ever felt/thought/said, 'It's not easy being on my own', or 'How long will it be before I am married'? I know there have been occasions when I have asked these and other questions. Singleness can be tough, difficult, lonely and even scary, I have found in each of the single seasons I have lived through.
No doubt you have considered the various reasons for single seasons of life. Maybe it is by a choice made to stay single, the death of a spouse, divorce, or perhaps it is fear. Maybe medical or financial difficulties. Whatever the reason, here we are 'single'!
It can be easy to waste or mourn this 'singleness' season of our life. But I find it very comforting to remember that our singleness is not an affliction, disease or punishment, nor is it a negative state of being. While the Bible tells us that marriage is good, it also says that so is the state of singleness.
When you consider it fully, every person has been given/called to singleness at least for some portion of their life.
Single seasons of our lives can offer different ministry opportunities that married life with all its responsibilities and abilities of life cannot ...
That sounds like a reason for celebration rather than sadness to me!
Lately, I find myself seeking more often for reassurance from God - for Him to show/tell me His plans and purposes for my life again. And within the Bible, there is a treasure trove of nuggets to be found, but one scripture that is my go-to verse is Jeremiah 33:3,
"Call to me and I will answer you, and will show you great and hidden things that you do not know." And when I do call out and spend time really in conversation with Him I get strengthened by the wisdom I gain!
As I searched for an exemplary role model in my quest for this season I am in, I was immediately drawn to Jesus Christ, his life, his ministry and the connections he made/had as a single person (all of his life).
Jesus gained his strength from the Holy Spirit empowering him. We can too. He knew that to love and be in a growing relationship with His Father and his neighbours would ease loneliness and increase his joy and peace. We can benefit this way as well. There are many other similarities I could point to, but those were the most prominent for me.
So, let us set our focus on viewing our singleness as a gift, a calling from the Lord, rather than a burden! For this season, however long or short it is to be, let us find joy while we are here! May we seek ways to use this time as an opportunity to build stronger and more contented relationships/community with God and His family, the Church.
Let us reset our focus, then. Let us be single-minded in allowing our wise and loving heavenly Father to have His way, will and time in the hours and days yet before us as Christian singles.
May we continue on our journey with joy, not focused on whether, when or whom we should marry, but with an aim to receive the growth, beauty and peace that only our God can give us as we grow with Him and through Him and toward our neighbours!
As we thank God for the gift of singleness that we have been given (for a season), may we keep our eyes and hearts firmly fixed on Heaven for we know nothing we gain here will last forever (Mark 12:25).
He is waiting ... on us! Let us call to Him!
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Rose Naomi
Thank you for this. A mindset that brings negativity often. Hosea 2:19-20 reminds me to appreciate.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment, Judy.
DeleteSuch hope, health and promise in the scripture that you mentioned!
"I will betroth you to me forever. Yes, I will betroth you to me in righteousness, in justice, in covenant faithfulness, and in compassion. I will even betroth you to me in faithfulness, and you will know Yahweh."
Hosea 2:19-20
Words of encouragement whether we are single or in a marriage.....let Him lead!
ReplyDelete