Perhaps, after a long time, you find yourself single because you simply haven’t received a proposal, your spouse has passed away, you’ve experienced a heart-wrenching divorce, or you haven’t met anyone you desire to marry. Nevertheless, be encouraged–you are blessed to still have time to enjoy those things you love most about being single.
You may appreciate the freedom of not having to check in regularly with your spouse or having to make the many compromises and sacrifices expected in matrimony. Further, you have more time to serve the Lord, free from the hindrance of divided attention to your spouse. Your time still largely remains yours, and the pressures of pleasing a husband or wife don’t exist. Not to mention, you have more time to educate yourself on what makes a healthy spouse. Hence, a healthy marriage.
It could be you’ve often experienced the frustrations of people joyfully entering your life, only to sadly leave for any number of reasons. However, I’d like you to consider, that maybe God permitted each of these people into your life to assist in preparing you for the one you’ll marry. Significant time may have been spent sharpening the rough edges of each of your personalities. Though the relationship may have ended in disappointment, the learning experience was valuable for your success in the next relationship. Your time was not wasted.
Those challenging relationships you encounter in singleness could be essential teachers in helping you learn more about yourself, sparking change, where necessary. These people may be those with whom you may have had to more intently exercise the Holy Spirit’s fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, which as a result, has strengthened your spiritual and emotional muscles. In addition, I’m convinced that sometimes, God will allow circumstances that will purposely inhibit you from being attracted to someone to whom you should not be committed.
Whatever the case, with Jesus as your Lord, and His Holy Spirit as your guide, you can trust that no one can provide a better spouse for you than your heavenly Father who created the universe. Imagine what He can provide for you, in His timing, when you simply ask and believe. However, that’s if you should even desire marriage. You don’t have to marry.
Remember these words of truth that can be relied upon:
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ~James 1:5/NKJV
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ~Matthew 7:7-9/NKJV
Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. ~Mark 11:24/NKJV
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. ~~Ephesians 3:20-21/NKJV
In making decisions regarding your relationships, be especially intentional to move in wisdom considering what’s best for your individual life. A decision to marry is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. I’m seriously considering Paul’s advice in 1 Corinthians 7:28: “…But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.”
So, whether you choose to commit to the loving oneness of marriage, or the freedom and fun of remaining single, having a relationship with your heavenly Father is of the greatest importance. Loving and obeying Him, you’ll reach your greatest fulfillment!
Ms. Rita's Minute 