We live in a society that is so self-absorbed and superficial that if you aren't careful, will cause you to remain in a constant state of discontentment. No matter where we turn there is an ad or commercial trying to convince us that we need the latest gadgets, cars, clothes, makeup, bags, and an endless list of other material objects. Then there are the movies, musical albums, and tv shows that are centered around finding "the one" and falling in love that are played every day. We are surrounded by a world that is focused on climbing the social & corporate ladders and bragging about their achievements and accomplishments. People are constantly trying to outdo one another, instead of encouraging and supporting each other. Then there is this heavily prevalent mentality of it's all about me and what can you do for me. Unfortunately, as Christians, we too fall into the same mindset and we often bring the world's behavior and thinking into the church. It's easy to forget what's truly important, which is to seek and remain focused on Christ. Yes, God has called us to live in the world, but we are not to be of the world. We are to be set apart and constantly in preparation and anticipation of the return of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
There is an ever growing obsession of the world, that is slowly creeping into the American church. What is this obsession? The topic of relationships. It seems like everywhere you turn someone is starting a new ministry geared towards singleness, and I'm not saying that it's wrong, I am saying that I think we are missing the bigger picture. So many single people are "waiting on their Boaz" or waiting on their "Eve" and I honestly believe that many have somehow twisted the whole idea of singleness. Yes, it's important to talk about letting go of exes, staying celibate, etc, but if you look in the Bible, Jesus barely ever talked about relationships, He was more concerned about saving souls and preparing the people for eternity. We too must follow His example and instead of focusing on preparing ourselves for a man or woman, focus on being ready for our bridegroom, Jesus Christ. Paul actually mentioned that it is better to be single in, 1 Corinthians 7, because we are to able to be fully devoted to The Lord without the cares that a spouse and family brings. To be honest not everyone will be married and how sad would it be to spend our lives waiting for an event that never happens.
The past few days, I have noticed a lot of people on social media, posting things like how to be single during the holidays and honestly it saddened me. Do we really need people to tell us how to be single? Has our focus fallen so far away from our Savior? As I sat before The Lord this week, He began to show me that a lot of the discontentment and loneliness we experience in our lives is because we are selfish. We truly do not believe that God is enough. We may sing songs like "Christ Is Enough," but they are just empty words, not truly a confession of our heart. There is a dying world all around us and a lot of us keep asking The Lord questions like "When are you going to send my husband/wife?" or "Why do I have to be single during the holidays"? If we truly believed that God is Sovereign and has a perfect plan for our lives then I don't think we would continue to ask Him questions like that. Those are questions that our "old nature" would have been consumed by, but we are new creatures now, according to 2 Corinthians 5:17:
"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"
That is why it is so important that we renew our minds by studying the Word of God and staying in constant communication with Him. We have to daily rid our minds of the selfish, sinful behavior and tendencies that the world embodies, in order to think and be more like Christ.
"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
Romans 12:1-2
There is a purpose for you, in this season of your life. You will not find it by scrolling through your news feed on Facebook or by idolizing every married couple you see on the street. You will only find out what the will of God is for you, if you are intentional about seeking Him. Honestly sometimes it requires us to spend hours fasting and praying. The question is how much are you willing to sacrifice in order to keep the fire going in your relationship with Jesus? Do you really desire to be the hands and feet of Jesus here on this earth? Has eternity become so real in your heart that it brings you joy to know that one day all of this will pass away? Could you imagine being so in love with and serving Jesus that you almost forget that you are single?
So if you want a solution for being single, during the holiday season, I can sum it up for you in 1 sentence:
Take your eyes off of your self & your surroundings and put them back on JESUS.
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:1-2
There is an ever growing obsession of the world, that is slowly creeping into the American church. What is this obsession? The topic of relationships. It seems like everywhere you turn someone is starting a new ministry geared towards singleness, and I'm not saying that it's wrong, I am saying that I think we are missing the bigger picture. So many single people are "waiting on their Boaz" or waiting on their "Eve" and I honestly believe that many have somehow twisted the whole idea of singleness. Yes, it's important to talk about letting go of exes, staying celibate, etc, but if you look in the Bible, Jesus barely ever talked about relationships, He was more concerned about saving souls and preparing the people for eternity. We too must follow His example and instead of focusing on preparing ourselves for a man or woman, focus on being ready for our bridegroom, Jesus Christ. Paul actually mentioned that it is better to be single in, 1 Corinthians 7, because we are to able to be fully devoted to The Lord without the cares that a spouse and family brings. To be honest not everyone will be married and how sad would it be to spend our lives waiting for an event that never happens.
The past few days, I have noticed a lot of people on social media, posting things like how to be single during the holidays and honestly it saddened me. Do we really need people to tell us how to be single? Has our focus fallen so far away from our Savior? As I sat before The Lord this week, He began to show me that a lot of the discontentment and loneliness we experience in our lives is because we are selfish. We truly do not believe that God is enough. We may sing songs like "Christ Is Enough," but they are just empty words, not truly a confession of our heart. There is a dying world all around us and a lot of us keep asking The Lord questions like "When are you going to send my husband/wife?" or "Why do I have to be single during the holidays"? If we truly believed that God is Sovereign and has a perfect plan for our lives then I don't think we would continue to ask Him questions like that. Those are questions that our "old nature" would have been consumed by, but we are new creatures now, according to 2 Corinthians 5:17:
"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"
That is why it is so important that we renew our minds by studying the Word of God and staying in constant communication with Him. We have to daily rid our minds of the selfish, sinful behavior and tendencies that the world embodies, in order to think and be more like Christ.
"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
Romans 12:1-2
There is a purpose for you, in this season of your life. You will not find it by scrolling through your news feed on Facebook or by idolizing every married couple you see on the street. You will only find out what the will of God is for you, if you are intentional about seeking Him. Honestly sometimes it requires us to spend hours fasting and praying. The question is how much are you willing to sacrifice in order to keep the fire going in your relationship with Jesus? Do you really desire to be the hands and feet of Jesus here on this earth? Has eternity become so real in your heart that it brings you joy to know that one day all of this will pass away? Could you imagine being so in love with and serving Jesus that you almost forget that you are single?
So if you want a solution for being single, during the holiday season, I can sum it up for you in 1 sentence:
Take your eyes off of your self & your surroundings and put them back on JESUS.
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:1-2
We don't need to be focusing on how to be better at being single or even married, we need to be focused on becoming more like Christ and being better daughters and sons of the Most High God. Whether you are a single woman/man or a married woman/man, you are first and foremost a child of God. Your identity isn't based on your marital status; it's based in Christ. So our heart's desire should be to talk, look, act, and think more like Him every single day. I'm not saying this is always easy, especially when family or friends are in your face about your marital/career/family status, but I am saying it is possible with God. We must protect our hearts and minds, by guarding them in Christ Jesus, where we find peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). That way no matter what comes our way, our souls are safely anchored in Him and we can count it all joy.
I came across this awesome article yesterday, by Francis Chan, that really touched on the importance of time alone with God.
http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-greatest-thing-you-could-do-today
I challenge you this holiday season to look outside of yourself and really decide to be intentional about spending time ALONE with The Lord. Asking Him for wisdom, strength, grace, purpose, joy peace, and unconditional love to be able to pour out to others. Let knowing and finding Him be your top priority. Ask Him to show you ways to serve others and show them Christ through your words and actions. Use this time, amongst your family and friends, to share the Gospel with those who are unbelievers and encourage those who are believers to not grow weary in well doing!
My prayer is that you have a true encounter with Jesus Christ, that causes you to want to chase harder after Him, then anything or anyone else in this world. That you will not even be bothered by the fact that it's the holiday, engagement & wedding season, because you are sooooo focused on and consumed with Jesus. I ask that The Lord fill you up in such a way, that causes you to talk more about your Heavenly Prince and be thankful for all that He has done, than anyone else. That you find true & lasting contentment in Him alone.
"Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little."
Philippians 4:11-12
Every season is beautiful, when you allow The Lord to give you His perspective
I heard this song on Pandora today and it spoke to me so greatly. This is truly what I desire, in this season of my life, to find Him in every moment and be first in my heart. I don't have it all together and I'm thankful for The Lord's grace and mercies that are new every morning!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!
Until next time,
Cierra
xoxo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cierra.cotton1
Instagram & Periscope: @mylifeascierra
Email: cierracotton@gmail.com
Cierra I always love reading your posts. Always so thoughtful and insightful. Thanks for sharing xx
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