Single Sister, You MatterUzorak

Lydia

Girl-boss, go-getter, mum-preneur, hustler, a working hun - The list goes on and on. Have you ever been referred to as one of these or resonated with any of these titles? Maybe you own the title with pride, or you would prefer to be a stay-at-home mum, but necessity drove you into the world of work. Maybe you haven’t found a place for your talents or desires within a traditional church environment yet long to contribute to God’s Kingdom. Listen, Linda! Or should I say, Listen, Lydia, if you are a single woman called into the marketplace, you are no less valuable to God than our sisters in full-time ministry or the awesome women who oversee their households on a full-time basis. Exhibit A: Lydia, an influential businesswoman who traded purple cloths from Asia and worked in Europe. She maintained a home and was considered the authority in the household. There is no clear mention of a husband in her story. Therefore, scholars have speculated that she may have been widowed. Lydia was most certainly a believer, and God opened her heart to the gospel of Jesus Christ. God used her and her hospitality as the first Church was birthed in her home. Can you imagine thIt is not only her spiritual gifting that was useful to God, but her skills, talents, and profession were of massive importance to ministry as she funded and supported the spread of the gospel with her resources.at? The first Church in Europe was birthed in a woman’s home - potentially a widow’s home! How different is that thought from the picture of church leadership today? She also attended to the needs of Paul and Silas when they were imprisoned. Her home, business and possessions were fully surrendered to the Lord and His mission.

We therefore can conclude that widows, single women, women in the marketplace, and self-sufficient women are ALSO Godly women. They are not an antithesis to the typical version of a Godly woman in the church. God is proud of women like Lydia, He loves them, and He wants to partner with them in their version of ministry. They are not a corrupted version of womanhood, they are not a plan B, and they are very much within the will of God. The Father asks us not to seek our success and pursuits, but His. He wants to see us thriving and prospering as women. That doesn’t only mean being a pastor’s wife or a stay-at-home mother - though these roles in the community are incredible - being an independent, successful, single woman is not a worldly concept. Women like this also get to play a crucial and exciting role in building God’s kingdom plan.

If you’ve always wanted to serve God yet your desires and career pursuits are outside the confines of a Sunday service, single sister, dedicate everything you have in your hands and heart to our Father. God will use you in ways beyond your imagination and your household shall be blessed. Whether in this life or the heavenly one to come.