Single for God

By: Emily Miller

At my college, and several other colleges, there is a saying that goes "ring by spring."

This means you are supposed to find a guy your freshman year of college. Then the two of you will spend three years developing a solid relationship, then by spring of your senior year the guy is supposed to propose. Hence the term "ring by spring."

Now, here I am, fall of my senior year of college, and I have never officially dated.

Several weeks ago, I started to get discouraged about this. All over my Facebook news feed, girls who I knew were announcing their engagements. Let's just say that seeing all of these posts allowed the devil to weasel his way in and whisper his lies to me.

"You are not pretty. You are too tomboyish. You have geeky obsessions with baseball, science fiction, old tv shows, etc."

I got upset to the point where I confided with my closest friend and adopted sister on Facebook, knowing she would understand the struggles I was going through.

She told me that while it is hard to watch the people you know develop close relationships and get engaged, God still has a plan for young ladies who are single. This got me to thinking more deeply about what it means to be single and pursuing a relationship with Christ.

Our focus should not be on seeking Mr. Right, but rather seeking God with all our might. I came to realize that we should not only pursue God, we should thirst after him!

 O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for You.
My soul thirsts for You; my whole body longs for You
in this parched and weary land where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1

If you are like me, and have either never officially dated or have gone through a relationship that just was not what it was meant to be, you may be despairing just like I was (and once in awhile still do). He may have someone in the wings waiting for us who will be "the one."

In the meantime, until God decided to reveal "the one" to us, we have all this time for ourselves that we can spend developing our sense of identity in Christ.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world,
but let God transform you into a new person by changing the
way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you,
which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2

A dear friend and mentor of mine always tells me that we are "S-S-S Women", meaning we are single, sassy, and most importantly, we are saved.

You are saved! You are a child of the Most High God!

I have seen this quote on several social media sites; "as you are chasing after God, if a certain someone happens to catch up with you along the way, introduce yourself!"

So I challenge you, while you are living the single life, don't go chasing after guys for fulfillment. Chase after God instead!

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive
the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Philippians 3:14

Blessings,

Emily