Single Matters Magazine with Jill Monaco Ministries Christian singles discuss the matters of life, relationships, singleness and faith
I’m tired of books on singlehood. But my disdain for them is not rooted not in what they say, but rather what they don’t say. Most books on singlehood miss out on Heaven.
Because you know what? Marriage isn’t eternal. Sure, it’s a good thing. A God-designed thing that blesses many many people. And of course, it can bear eternal fruit. There are things a married couple can do for the Kingdom of God that echo throughout eternity. But marriage in and of itself? It will pass away.
So what bothers me about books on singlehood is an underlying message of “use your singleness to prepare for marriage.”
Well what happens if you never get married? Or if you get married and your spouse dies? Does your purpose fade away too?
Your purpose, the reason that God created you, was to know Him and to make Him known. And friends, that can be done no matter what your relationship status is.
So let’s refocus our vision. Let’s set our eyes not on things that are temporal, but on things that are eternal. Let’s gaze upon Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Let’s steward this season of singleness in light of eternity.
1. Spend time in God’s Word.
Spending time with God is the best eternal investment you can make. I highly doubt that when we stand before the throne of God in Heaven we will say “I wish I spent less time reading my Bible.”
God’s Word, in and of itself, is eternal. It will never pass away (Matt 24:35). So why not invest as much time as you can studying, learning, investigating and applying what God has to say? Try taking an extended prayer walk or reading a version of the Bible you normally don’t read. Take some time to get alone with God for an extended period of time—maybe that means a few hours or even a few days. Try to memorize an entire passage or book of the Bible.
Whatever you do, know that your time connecting with God is not in vain!
2. Serve the Church.
Of all the “groups” of people that attend church, we as singles have the most freedom. We can do and say as we please. Yet so often we use our freedom selfishly. Most churches are in dire need of servant-hearted people. Whether that is filling communion cups or snuggling babies in the nursery, your church likely has a need you can fill. By giving your time, you are contributing to the eternal work that is taking place in your church.
3. Invest in relationships.
People’s souls are eternal. Everyone you know will spend either an eternity in Heaven with God or an eternity in hell forever separated from Him. We have the privilege of partnering with the Almighty God to accomplish His mission of telling the whole world about Him. In Heaven, we will not get to share the gospel or see people come from death to life. So partake in the Great Commission while you can.
Try to think of three people in your life who are not walking with Jesus. Commit to praying for them every day and ask God for opportunities to have spiritual conversations with them. As Bill Bright said, “Successful evangelism is simply taking the initiative in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results up to God.”
4. Bless someone you know.
If you’re like me, you probably know at least a handful of friends who are married with young kids. And if your friends are anything like my friends, they might be tired and spent. One of my favorite things to do with my freedom as a single is to offer to hang out with my friend’s kids for an afternoon so she can get some time to recharge at Starbucks. Or maybe you can offer to take your friends’ kids to a movie so they can go on their first date in months. Or maybe you could show up with a latte, a card and the offer to fold her laundry? Whatever you do, I’m sure it will make your friend’s day!
5. Give generously.
As a single person, you are the sole steward of your finances. That means that you are the only one responsible for what you do with the money that God has entrusted to you. But the flip side of this weight of responsibility is the gift of freedom. You can give to any ministry that pulls on your heartstrings. You can choose to give up buying clothes or going out to eat or something else to give money away. It’s a lot harder when you’re married or have a family to decide to give without abandon, so take advantage now!
Of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg of the many ways we can use our singleness in light of eternity. What are some ways you’ve invested this season of your life? What else would you add to this list?
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