You know those nights when you feel like God just smacks you upside the head and says, "duh!"? I had one of those nights tonight. I went to "The Hour" (a weekly college/singles ministry at my church) tonight, and got blindsided by a message about Singleness. I have been struggling with my state of singleness ever since I became single, and I guess I've been treating it as some sort of a punishment. But tonight the pastor really put some things into perspective that I needed to hear.
After worship, I sat down and the pastor said, "Open up your bibles to 1 Corinthians chapter 7..." Immediately an alarm went off in my head and a voice started screaming, "ABORT, ABORT!...get out now because this one is going to hit you where it hurts!" I'll be completely honest and say that I did squirm a bit in my seat tonight. He asked us to turn to chapter 7 verse 7, and he read Paul's words, "Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that." The pastor explained to us the importance of being content with our singleness, and how we should view it as a priviledge to be single. It is a priviledge to not have the distractions of a relationship holding me down and keeping my eyes off of the Lord, and I'm learning to be thankful for having so much time to spend alone with Jesus.
The burdon of wanting to be married has weighed heavy on my heart for some time now. My friends have always called me crazy for wanting to get married at such a young age, but I've felt that it is what God wants for me. Tonight that burdon was lifted. Marriage is still something I desire, but it is no longer something that is going to dominate my thoughts. I'm learning that I need to be married first to Christ in order to be prepared for the possibility of marriage. In the past I've hated being single, but this time I'm going to be much more intentional with my time and Jesus will be the only thing I long for from now on. Until He tells me otherwise.
Some quotes that impacted me from the sermon tonight:
"A single man/woman's focus should be on the Lord, and his/her attention not divided."
"Do not be anxious for marriage. It is ok to have a desire to be married, but do not be anxious. . . Trust God."
"You'll be a better mate in marriage if you become a better lover of Christ."
There's so much more I could say, but it's time for bed now.
God Bless,
~Matt
Well said. I enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDelete(And marrying at a young age isn't so bad =])
Thanks...I'm glad you enjoyed it. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI haven't ruled out marrying young; I'm just going to wait and trust God's timing...I've been living for my own desires for too long, and I really want to honor Him.