Current Mood: Anointed & Blessed & Cool & Faith-filled & Filled with Praise!!! & Loved

It’s amazing that when I tell people I’m single, they instantly think that I am longing to be married.  This is especially true in southern states than northern, which is where I’m originally from (Brooklyn, NY).  Since I’ve moved to Atlanta, a lot of women just automatically assume that I am in travail and in deep longing for a husband.  Some have said things like, “Don’t worry, the Lord will bring your husband into your life” OR “Don’t worry, your time is coming soon.”  They never stop to consider if I even want to be married, they just assume.  And then when I express I’m not interested in being married, they look at me as though something is wrong with me.  One even questioned if I was gay.

Right now, I am not interested in marriage because I am very content in my relationship with God and being able to devote all of my time to Him – as spoken by Paul in I Corinthians 7:34:

The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.

I love being able to devote all of my time to the things of God rather than having to split my time between God and my husband. Now, that’s interesting considering that at one time in my life, around in my twenties, I was Ms. Relationship.  You couldn’t find me without being in a relationship, which also includes being in two marriages. 

Before I proceed, let me make something perfectly clear: I BELIEVE IN, ENCOURAGE, RECOMMEND AND AM TRULY FOR MARRIAGE!!!!  I believe it is an awesome institution that God has ordained, and when done His way, it works!  Yes indeed, it takes HARD work, but it still works provided the married couple allows God to be the Third strand in the 3-fold cord, as mentioned in Ecclesiastes 4:12! 

For some, it is very difficult to believe that a woman in her right mind could be happily single, saved and satisfied: single by choice, saved because Jesus is my Lord and Savior and satisfied because the Lord keeps me.  I remember when I finally decided to submit and commit my life unto the Lord, I went to Him and told Him my problems with lusting after sex and fornication.  I figured, “The Lord knows anyways!”  Plus, I wanted to keep it real with Him because I had finally reached a point in my life where I was desperate for the Lord.  I was tired of running from my calling, I was tired of rebelling and being disobedient, and I truly wanted to live the consecrated lifestyle I knew He was calling me to.  As I was confessing to the Lord about my “sex” problem (some could even say addiction), His response to me was, “I will keep you in perfect peace if your mind is stayed on Me” (Isaiah 26:3).  At that moment, I made a deal with the Lord: I will keep my mind on You, Lord, and You will keep ALL of me in perfect peace!  That’s what, or should I say He’s what is holding and keeping me to this day!  Thank you Jesus!

That in itself is amazing because I truly did have a problem in this area, and to be celibate for a number of years is nothing short of a miracle!  Furthermore, as I continue to walk with the Lord and study His Word, my mind renews every day.  It amazes me what the Lord can do if we only allow Him to do it and trust Him!

So, with all of that said, I am happy and content.  Don’t get me wrong, I have my days where it can sometimes be a struggle, but the days of joy and contentment greatly exceed the latter.  I am absolutely head-over-heels, nutty in love with God and have a deep longing to do all that He’s called me to do on this earth!  My life is God and purpose driven, and right now I cannot see myself nor do I desire to invest in and nurture a new romantic relationship.  Nevertheless, understand this: Should it ever be the Lord’s will that I re-marry, then I embrace it and welcome it with open arms because I know my new mate would be God’s gift to me.  BUT, until that happens, I will continue to build myself up in the Lord and be just as content, happy and free in Him as I possibly can be!  To God be ALL the glory, honor and praise!

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A FEW SCRIPTURES

Matthew 19:11-12 AMP

But He said to them, Not all men can accept this saying, but it is for those to whom [the capacity to receive] it has been given. For there are eunuchs who have been born incapable of marriage; and there are eunuchs who have been made so by men; and there are eunuchs who have made themselves incapable of marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let him who is able to accept this accept it.

I Corinthians 7:34 NKJV

The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.

1 Corinthians 7:7-9 AMP

I wish that all men were like I myself am [in this matter of self-control]. But each has his own special gift from God, one of this kind and one of another.  But to the unmarried people and to the widows, I declare that it is well (good, advantageous, expedient, and wholesome) for them to remain [single] even as I do.  if they have not self-control (restraint of their passions), they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame [with passion and tortured continually with ungratified desire].

© 2011, Naima Williams. All rights reserved.