BLC SINGLES CORNER

We now understand that, as unmarried people in the Body of Christ, we are to be “WHOLE” individuals. We don’t wait to get married to find wholeness. Our wholeness is not wrapped up in a mate–but in Christ Jesus. Only God, can fix the damage done to us, because we are born into a world of sin. With sin comes hurt, pain, and the issues of life. We don’t get married and look for a mate to “fix” us. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. As unmarried people, the time to be repaired is now.

In our unmarried state, we should not have the mindset that life begins once I am married. We are not to be living/existing with our minds focused on the husband, children, the home, and the trimmings. How do we “occupy”? Some of us may never marry, for whatever reason; and those who do, have work to do, in the meantime? What are our roles?

We can be totally devoted to the things of God, in our unmarried state–without distraction. Let me qualify this by stating that, at the time Paul wrote about the benefit of remaining unmarried, it was very different from the world we now live in. There was no corporate world to contend with, women didn’t work outside of the home–unmarried women remained at home, until they married. Men, even, worked very close to home and family–usually engaged in the family trade. So, we have to adjust our thinking, somewhat. Always remember, though, God is first–no matter the era. The advantage of being unmarried in every era is that we can give more time and devote more attention to the things of God and His people.

As an unmarried person, you have more opportunities for service within the Body of Christ. As a wife and mother, you may not be able to assist the elderly saints or the sick in the same way–because of your responsibilities at home. Being free from those obligations, you are able to make yourself available to God’s people who need help, from time to time. You have more time to devote to prayer and services, perhaps. People who have children attending school may not always be able to attend nightly services–but you are free to do so. Take advantage of every opportunity. You have opportunities for hospitality–instead of feeling lonely, have some other people over who may feel forgotten and share. You may discover new friends and find opportunities to encourage one another. Look for ways to be a blessing–it won’t take long to discover some!

This is the prime time to discover and maximize gifts and talents. “Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” We may not all be young, but the point is, we have time and availability. Don’t be afraid to learn something new. Is there something you always wanted to do? Learn a new language–sign language perhaps, or take courses in cooking, sewing, fixing cars, etc. You can help God’s people with all of these. This should be a time of discovery, not waiting. We decide how we will use this period–if it will be productive or wasted.

Ministry development is key now, too. Seek God in regard to your role in the Kingdom. BE about His business. When we are focused on Kingdom business, it will alleviate a lot of the stresses that we experience as unmarried people. We have to be very careful how we occupy our time. Know your weaknesses. Know your enemy. Know your strategy. KNOW your DELIVERER!

Finally, be led by the Spirit, in everything. Don’t squander this special time that you have with the Lord. Be conscious of this important gift and make good use of it!

Love & Blessings,
Lisa

“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.”  Ephesians 3:16

 A celebrity counselor recently told his television audience:  “A lady flew across the nation to tell me how her husband had left her for another woman.  The woman who came to see me was young, vibrant and beautiful.  But suddenly she pulled out a photograph and said, ‘Just look at her!  He left me for that!’  Sadly I thought, ‘Ma’am, what you’ve been conditioned by society to think of as being all-important, really isn’t.  Outer appearance isn’t the biggest issue at all.’”

 Advertisers spend billions to get us to decorate a shell that’s in a losing battle with Mother Nature and Father Time; all to create what we think will attract others.  What we create may momentarily turn a head or two, but it has little or no ability to capture and hold a heart or mind.  We think that by enrolling at the latest weight-loss center, using the right toothpaste, being seen in the right places with the right people, we’ll end up enjoying the right kind of life.  And when it doesn’t work, we get depressed and wonder what went wrong.

 Sure it’s important to always look your best, but when you become obsessed with your “looks” you become shallow and superficial.  And others quickly lose interest because they discover that although the box you came in is beautifully wrapped – it’s empty!  The real source of attractiveness is “His Spirit in the inner man.”  That’s what ultimately wins hearts and attracts the right people to you, for the right purpose, at the right time.