Single men trust God to risk rejection, and single women trust God as they wait for Him.
It’s about trusting in God’s good character for our lives. Encourage single men and women to read the book of Ruth. Not because it’s a book about the union of a couple (not really), but because we were all like Naomi. We look at our situation and do you think we know exactly what God is doing?or we don’t. But don’t we just have any idea what he’s doing?Which is more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). His quiet providence is everywhere, and the desire to wait for and praise him fuels gratitude.
Don’t be afraid to defy bitterness
Prolonged celibacy is a form of suffering. There is an appropriate time to cry with those who cry, especially for women who see the fertility window close without expecting children. Do not minimize cumulative years of hope for single adults.
Having considered this, single adults need challenges of love when we let a root of bitterness be born and prevent our prayers to God, our communion with others, and our service to the Church. Delayed hopes cannot destroy our gratitude for the gift of salvation.
It’s not about improving, it’s about improving others
Often, our counsel for single adults arises from the worldly thought that pollutes us all; We give tips to improve and empower the single adult to attract better relationships, rather than reminding them that they are the guardians of all the relationships they have received.
While there are things any adult can do (married or not) to be more attractive in a thousand ways, there is no guarantee that a neater appearance, a safer style of conversation, or a better job deserves a reward. Eternal. However, if we think of every person who crosses our path as a beloved sister or brother in the Lord, whom one day we will inform Jesus to care for and treat Him, this changes dramatically.
Does this mean that dating is no longer a zero-sum game?[1] which results in a series of broken relationships and the end of communication. This isn’t a guy who beats a girl. It’s about being able to look at Jesus’ face and say, “Thank you for the time you’ve given me with this person. I did my best to encourage and pray for this person while I met her. I loved her without fear of losing her because she wanted to be like then, by your grace, have I done everything I could to build this man and give it back to you with gratitude for the gift of this relationship?Because even if we get married, it’s also what we have to do in relation to our husbands.
As John Piper wrote in Temporary Marriage: “The meaning of marriage is the demonstration of the love of the covenant between Christ and his people. “Although this is not manifested in exactly the same way in the lives of single adults, we are part of Christ’s wife and recipients of his faithful love and covenant. Therefore, the way we care for others who are also loved by Christ expresses much for an observant world, to praise its glory.
1: Does a zero-sum game refer to games in which a player’s victory necessarily represents a loss for the other player?
By: Carolyn McCulley. © the Foundation of God’s Desire. Website: desiringGod. org. Translated with permission. Source: How to serve?Singles ?: Ministry to single adults in your church.
Original: How to Serve?Singles ?: Serve single adults in your church (Part 3/3). © Return to the Gospel. Website: voltemosaoevangelho. com All rights reserved Translation: Camila Rebeca Teixeira Review: Renata Machado Gandolfo