Monday, August 29, 2011

Is Single A Sickness?

I am a 25 year old single female and as a christian that is on par with having a life threatening disease.  Years ago I decided to wait on God`s timing for when I would get married.  It all started with reading two books (When God writes your love story by Eric and Leslie Ludy, and I kissed dating goodbye by Joshua Harris.).  My eyes were opened to a new way of doing things even if I didn`t agree with everything in the books.  I made a choice to let God direct me to the right man.  Now in saying that I must also confess I have not been perfect in my resolve.  Many times I have tried to rush God or manipulate circumstances to go my way, or just got distracted with a particularly charming guy.  I knew when I was younger that this was a hard decision to live out, I had a feeling that there would be a lot of patience required.  Having foreknowledge doesn`t take away from how tough it`s been.  The funny thing is I don`t mind being single, I love life.  I have experienced things and had adventures that would not have been possible as a married women.  The tough stuff comes from the outside.  Tonight was a great example.  My brother and his wife came over for dinner, and somehow we got onto the topic of my dating life or in my case lack thereof.  He stated his fears with my belief system, even going as far at to say that this might be a sign of something unhealthy within me.  I didn`t realize a sign of health was marriage,  the 40% divorce rate doesn`t seem to support this.  My brother is not the only one who has raised questions, and questions are good.  I welcome the chance to examine what I believe.  I continually go back to God and the people I respect the most in my life, and I continually receive peace to stay on my path.  I know I want a marriage one day that is a testimony to the love of God.  A God that is acquainted with the most intimate details of our life.  A God who delights in love between his children.  A God who has plans for us that are beyond our wildest dreams.  My God is my Father and my best friend, how could I leave him out of deciding who I wanted to spend my life with.  He knows me better than anyone and he knows what is best for me, what I truly need.  It is okay if I need to wait a little longer than others around me.  I will enjoy this time, making the most of it.  The truth is when I became a disciple of Jesus Christ I gave up the right to my will, my way.  I lay down my will daily (or at least try to) for the Gods will.  My life is lived to bring Him glory and honor.  If it brings God more glory for me to stay single then he will give me the grace to do so.  Though I sincerely hope that God  has marriage and motherhood planned for me.  For today God has called me to be single, and I will find peace, joy and purpose in that.  It is okay that people may think I am wrong, or that there might be something wrong with me.  I live for the approval of one.  He is my prince charming, the lover of my soul, my all in all!  In Him I have found a love that is sweeter than life itself.



1 Corinthians 7:32-35 ESV 

I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

Hosea 2:19-20 ESV

And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord.

Song of Solomon 2:7 ESV  

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.





No comments:

Post a Comment