I finished up yesterday by suggesting that those who are single begin to examine their hearts for the sin of rebellion if they are discontent in their season of singleness.
Part of what I have observed about those who are unhappy as singles is their perspective is skewed. Their focus is on the present and how they feel right now and what they want right now. Nowhere in Scripture is anyone (married or single) told to live life by how they feel. In fact, we are told just the opposite. A life that is lived denying self is God’s example and His ideal for all of His children.
“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me”. Luke 9:23 (NASB)
Paul taught the Corinthians this lesson in Chapter 7 of his first Epistle. His focus was on the eternal not the present temporary pleasures of the world. In fact, he encouraged those who were married to live in service the God as though they had no spouse.
But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none 1 Cor 7:29 (NASB)
Single women are able to devote themselves to eternal pursuits, kingdom pursuits and to have a committed focus on Jesus Christ. As I consider the godly single women I know I think of all I know they do for Him. Several are school teachers, educating and influencing the next generation of Christians not only academically but by their strong character. A few other single women have a deep devotion to praying for the needs of the church and her people. They meet together at least twice a week for the sole purpose of praying, in addition to spending personal time appealing to the Lord for the needs of others. I know at least three others who have dedicated their vacation time and their financial resources to missions. They have been around the globe teaching English as a second language, spreading the gospel as they built houses, taught principles of biblical change, worked in support roles for teachers and preachers, dug trenches for water pipes, cleaned tiny teeth, and immunized people against preventable diseases. One woman I know has been to China several times teaching children about Jesus. Two of the women who volunteer in this ministry are single, and frankly, I do not know what I would do without their help!
This is what Paul was talking about as he encouraged single people to remain single. Singleness provides the time needed for Christian service that marrieds often don’t have because they have to be concerned about the needs of their spouse and home (1 Cor. 7:32-33) As I said previously, Christian singleness is not accidental; it is an intentional and purposeful tool in the hands of a loving and active God.
No one knows how long their season of singleness will last, or what God intends to do while they are in it. The Lord in His sovereignty knows…
May I encourage you not to despise the place you have been placed? May I encourage you not to waste this time wishing things were different for you? May I also encourage you to use this time wisely, putting your hand to whatever service the Lord has placed in front of you for the glory of God? And finally, I gently remind you to do all that you do out of a grateful heart for the glory of God alone.