“God chose you out of all the people on Earth as His
personal treasure.” ~ Deuteronomy 14:2
Looking around the sanctuary,
Madeline felt the familiar twinge of loneliness - a husband gently rubbed the
shoulders of his pregnant wife, an engaged couple exchanged loving glances, a
mother hushed her restless toddler.
I’m the only single person here, she thought to herself
as she sat down. A newly married woman
met her eye from across the aisle and smiled.
Madeline detected a look of sympathy - a look that said, “Poor thing!” On the edge of her 20s, being the only single
person at church isn’t easy.
To some, you’re a problem that needs fixing, a source of
sympathy for others. Many try to pass on
their own marriage formulas. Still
others (especially women) avoid you for fear that you might try and steal their
husbands.
After years of singleness, Madeline no longer enjoyed
socializing at church. She opened her
Bible and began hoping for something akin to a Divine revelation – mostly she
was just killing time. She read Proverbs
18:22, “He who finds a wife receives favor from the Lord.”
Does that mean that I’m less blessed compared to those
who are married? she wondered. Maybe
He only answers the prayers of those who are wed; only wants to bless the
married. Maybe I don’t measure up in His
eyes.
Convinced that God wouldn’t really bless her until she was
married and operating on a deeper spiritual level, Madeline felt her spiritual
self-worth crumbling. Little did she
know the Lord was about to move her life in a special way.
She felt God speaking to her heart. It came in the form of a simple question. “How do you view yourself?”
Quickly she replied, “God, Your Word says I’m perfectly
made.”
Still, the question rang louder; He wasn’t satisfied with her
answer. “Do you value yourself?”
Madeline wasn’t being honest. Sure, she
studied Scripture, but she believed her own distorted self-image more. As panic began strangling her chest, she felt
an indescribably sweet presence wash over her.
The incredible power of God’s unconditional love surrounded her like sunshine.
Diving deeper into His presence, Madeline surfaced with
hidden gems. In God’s eyes, the Ruler
of time and creation, you are cherished.
The depth of His love is proven by the wounds in His palms. Singleness cannot reverse that. Yes, you too are blessed. (Deuteronomy
14:2)
In Christ, we are loved, chosen, redeemed, forgiven, freed,
sanctified, and promised an everlasting inheritance with all the riches, splendors,
and character of our Savior. For the
glory of God, we are blessed. May we all
proclaim how truly sanctified we are as we experience Christ working more intensely
in us, even through situations that don’t seem like blessings at all.
Lord, in our desire-driven culture, thank you
for setting each of us apart. Help us fulfill
Your purpose by living our lives as chosen vessels of honor. Remind singles that our Lord hasn’t forgotten
them; but has chosen them as His special treasures. Amen
