Single and Satisfied

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. — Philippians 4:12

He is the guest at weddings, yet is never the groom. Children are naturally drawn to Him, though He has no child of His own. He feels normal sexual desires, but His spiritual purpose keeps Him pure. He snubs the social norms, yet confounds rulers with keen insights.

He is a content, confident man knowing who He is and what He wants, yet experiences intense times of loneliness and longing. Who is this unmarried man?

His name is Jesus, Jesus the Christ, Son of the Living God.

Throughout His earthly life, Jesus sidesteps the discontentment that defines so many singles. This discontentment is rooted in unrealistic expectations — that marriage and sex are necessary for happiness. However, God endowed His Son — and every other person who has ever lived — with three inner needs: love, significance, and security.

You may think you need a mate to feel deeply loved, to feel truly significant, to feel completely secure. But these false assumptions are merely set-ups for a lifetime of disappointment. God alone is your true Need-meeter. He longs to satisfy your deepest inner needs in ways no human being ever could.

As a single woman, for whatever period of time — realize that your singleness has not caught God by surprise. He has a divine plan and purpose for your life — now. As you continually surrender your will to His, He will conform you to His character.

This is His perfect will for you… this very day.

Do not limit the limitless God! We Him, face the future unafraid because you are never alone. ~ Lettie B. Cowman

Merciful Lord, help me to become like You. May I live with a heart of contentment — focusing on what I have, not what I don’t have; looking for what I can give, not what I can receive. Thank You for being my Heavenly Need-meeter. Secure my heart in Your love now and forever.

Excerpted with permission from Fulfilled: The NIV Devotional Bible for Single Women, copyright Zondervan.

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Your Turn

When my former husband divorced me, I initially felt a core-rocking upending of my identity because it was so wrapped up in being a stay-at-home, homeschooling mama of five for more than two decades. It took Jesus’s unshaken presence with me day and night and regular time in the Word of God for the truth of His unchanging faithfulness and goodness to take root and produce a deep sense of being loved, significant to Him, and secure. Married and single ladies alike, please share with us on our blog about how you found or are finding your true fulfillment in Jesus rather than in a spouse or children. We’d love to hear from you about our God who loves us, satisfies our hearts, and brings us rock-solid security. ~ Laurie McClure, Faith.Full