One year ago I married my husband and entered a different "classroom." This is what I wrote shortly after I got engaged. I wanted to post it here that it might encourage you to remember that marriage and singleness are simply two classrooms with the same aim and the same Teacher: the aim is our sanctification and the Teacher is God.
My Dear Sisters,
Very soon I will be transitioning from the classroom of singleness into the classroom of marriage. God has evidently decided that matrimony is what this piece of clay needs in order to be molded into the sanctified vessel that He desires me to be.
I'm getting married, but I'm not becoming "more blessed." I'm not "moving up" in life or arriving at "real adulthood." I'm simply entering a different form of sanctification and a new method of service to the King.
Marriage is a dream come true for me, but it is not the beginning of my "happily ever after." Happily ever after starts when we step foot in heaven and see Jesus face to face.
Marriage is a wonderful blessing, but its not the "best blessing." Singleness was just as much of a blessing in my life as marriage will be. I didn't always see it that way, it didn't always feel that way, but it's no less true. Whatever God gives us is a blessing.
Marriage will be for me a new class in which to learn old lessons - to learn again how much I need God. To learn again to rest in Him, to trust Him un-waveringly, and to die to myself daily.
In at least one way, marriage will be no different for me than singleness was. I know I will have to keep learning over and over again how only He can satisfy the desires of of my heart, and only He will never fail me, and only He can perfectly meet all my emotional and physical needs. I embrace these coming lessons, for I also know what result God designed them to have in me. He has lovingly prepared every test that it might increase the intensity of my love, the awe of my wonder, and the firmness of my reliance on my Savior. And that is what I'm made for - not marriage.
I step into marriage knowing I already have my Beloved - my greatest gift, the fulfillment of all my needs, the desire of my heart - I have it all in a Person called Jesus.
I have no idea how long I'll be married. God could call my husband home tomorrow and I could have the gift of singleness once again. And if so? I will be okay. Because Christ is my all - not my husband, my relationship status, or my circumstances.
And so, here I go into this new classroom. Expecting to be further sanctified, further taught in the school of Christ, further molded and fashioned and made useful for His kingdom. Pleasing God is my end goal, not marriage. Therefore, by God's grace, I will seek to please Him in this classroom just as I sought to please Him in the last.
I read this post at the beginning of the year, and I remember how much it encouraged me and opened my eyes to see that every season of life is a blessing meant to be lived for His glory. God used your testimony and ministry to help me understand this beautiful truth—a truth that had been right in front of me, but I was too caught up in my "unanswered prayers" and "unmet desires" to see it.
God placed it on my heart to speak about this with my family and close friends, then with my local church. Now, we've just started a ministry for single Christians in our city (I’m from Mexico) and recently held our first conference. I’m…
Thank you so much for your ministry. I've been so blessed to hear your perspective and receive the encouragement it brings. The holiday season can be bittersweet for us singles. A few of my single acquaintances are out of town for the holiday. One I know is visiting her guy, the others may be visiting their girls.
It's a time when we're more keenly aware of our family ties and reminded of our relationship status. Regardless, I am so thankful for the full single life I have been gifted, and for family around me.
Thank you! All of your posts give me a new positive perspective to look at God and my singleness.