Change The ConversationSample

In the Meantime

At this point in my life, I have still spent more time being single than I have been in a relationship or been married. I’m imagining it’s the same for you. That means there is a lot of time to spend well “in the meantime.”

What do you do in the meantime? In my opinion, the culture and even the Church can put so much emphasis on finding the right person that sometimes we forget that we have to be the right person for someone else. 

Now is the time to build a deeper relationship with God by regularly studying His word and practicing prayer.

Now is the time to build the character and perseverance that is needed to be united in marriage and nurture a family. 

Now is the time to invest in relationships like with your family and close friends. 

Now is the time to explore your passions and serve the local church. 

That all sounds great on paper, but what does that look like in real life? It all starts right now with the circles you are already a part of.

Both guys and girls can look for ways to minister to their families and friends through encouragement, support, and empathy. 

In order to offer this kind of support, you need to keep digging down deep into your foundation of Christ. It’s a relationship you will never stop building, but take advantage of this time when you are the least distracted. Spending time with Christ reveals who you are in Him and strengthens you, enabling you to practice giving emotional and spiritual support to the people you call family. Even if you have a tough family situation in which you feel completely helpless and unable to affect the outcome, don’t give up. Continue to be faithful in the small ways of loving your family.

And also pay attention to how you steward your time. You never know what the next days are going to hold, but investing time in your education and ministry pursuits will always reap a harvest. Investing too early or too often in romantic relationships does not always guarantee the same return. Use your time wisely. You can’t get it back once it’s spent.

So I would encourage you to not discount these opportunities by thinking that this season of your life doesn’t really matter. You have an important role to play now right now. 

Your story doesn’t start when you date someone or when you get married. It doesn’t stop there either. Throughout our whole lives as followers of Christ, our main goal is to know Him and make Him known. That goal doesn't change whether you are dating someone or not.

So maybe, "in the meantime" is more important than you first thought...