Single and Not Sorry: Devotions of Real Encouragement for Right NowSample

Using This Time

Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ. Glory to the Master, now and forever! Yes!

II PETER 3:18 THE MESSAGE

Chances are at some point during your singleness, someone will advise you to use this time to prepare for marriage. And while singleness is a great time to get to know yourself better, deepen your relationship with God, and grow your community, you do not need to actively try to get ready to be a great and godly wife when you don’t even have a boyfriend. There are so many beautiful benefits of this time in your life, and you squander them when you are focused on the future or fixated on being a great wife to a good husband. You can invest in yourself, heal your heart, and grow in God, all while enjoying your singleness for the gift that it is. You do not need to use this time to prepare for something you aren’t necessarily promised. This notion, that as singles we are preparing for something far better and more lovely than our life now, robs us of our joy today and perpetuates the idea that married couples have reached a higher level of maturity or have figured out their life more. And when you try to skip ahead of the season you’re in now, you miss all the goodness and glory in the here and now.

If you have received advice to prepare for marriage, it’s important to remember that marriage is different but not better. Just as singleness comes with its inherent set of challenges, struggles, and blessings, so too does marriage. One does not simply become more mature or more spiritual when they exchange rings and sign the marriage license. So use this time however you feel God is calling you to, but release yourself from the pressure of your single life acting as a staging area from when your married life begins. Grow toward Christ, not toward marriage.

Right Now Reminder:

Release yourself from any pressure of using this time as a single woman to prepare for marriage. Instead of focusing on growing toward marriage, grow toward Christ.