Priorities for Single Christians

How are Singles supposed to spend our time?   What should our priorities be?   I have been mulling over this question for a few months and I think I found the solution.   Our priorities fall under three categories.

GOD

CAREER

EVERYTHING ELSE

GOD

            Our FIRST priority is GOD.  This is a season in our lives where we can fully engage with the LORD with zero distractions.   Work on your walk with GOD.  Study the Word of GOD, improve your prayer life, learn how to hear his voice and communicate with the creator.  Every minute you spend with the LORD is a good use of time.  This is the season we can use to really understand who GOD is.   Learn to make GOD a priority so then if (and when) you get married you will already have clear established devotional time.  “Come near to GOD and he will come near to you.” ~James 4:8. 

            Ministry also falls under the GOD category.  The season of singleness gives us an opportunity to fill the many needs found in the church.   Join the choir, become an usher, bake a casserole, help out with the kids.   Want to feel like you are part of a church family?   GET INVOLVED!    If you are not sure where you can help, talk to the pastor and he will gladly find a place for you to serve.   Jesus did not come to get served, but he came to serve others. (Mark 10:45).    Service glorifies and pleases GOD.   Service blesses others.  “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering GOD’s grace in in’s various forms.” ~1 Peter 4:10.

CAREER

            After GOD, singles should spend their time focused on their careers.   You do not have the distractions of a spouse or children so use this time to invest in your occupation of choice.     Go to college, get an advanced degree or learn a trade.   Read literature written by leaders in your field.    Find a mentor or expert and discover how they became successful and try to emulate them.  Use this time wisely. “Be very careful, then how you live- not as unwise but as wise.  Making the most of every opportunity” ~Ephesians 5:15-16.

            Work hard for your employer because it pleases the LORD.    Get to work on time and don’t leave early.  Don’t cut corners when it comes to doing tasks that the boss requires.   Don’t grumble when your supervisor gives a direct order.  Go about your work and do so cheerfully.   You are doing your work for the LORD, not for man.  Diligently go about your work because it pleases the LORD.  “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the LORD and not for men.” ~Colossians 3:23. 

EVERYTHING ELSE

            Everything else falls into the last category.  Friendships, relationships, hobbies, interests, pets.   When making decisions on how to spend your time make sure you are choosing Christ honoring activities.  Find things to fill your time that have lasting value.   “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think of such things.” ~Philippians 4:8

           

            I am sure you have heard that old expression: “you have to be a friend to get a friend?”   Now is a great time to make new friends and deepen established friendships.  Serve your friends:  Invite friends over and make them dinner, send encouraging texts and pray for them.    You can give a warm smile to a new church member and invite them out to get coffee.   People are hungry to make connections, but you need to make the effort to reach out to them.   Listen to them speak.  Learn about them.  You have two ears and one mouth so you will listen twice as much as you speak.

            Now is a terrific time to develop hobbies.   Learn how to play the guitar, learn a foreign language, learn how to cook.   The LORD places these desires in your heart for a reason and you will never know how he will use your hobbies to further his kingdom.   Explore your interests.   The more interests you have, the more interesting you will become to others.   Travel to a foreign country, take a missions trip, go on a retreat.    Adopt a pet or volunteer at a homeless shelter.   

So now what?

            Our days are numbered and only the LORD knows how long we each have to be on this planet.   “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” ~Psalm 90:12.  I am going to encourage each of you to live a full life.    This season of singleness is for a reason and the LORD won’t reveal the reason for it until the appointed time.   Use your time wisely.  GODà  Careerà  Everything else.

When making decisions about my time I always ask 3 questions:

Will this help or hinder my walk with GOD.

Will this help or hurt my career

Is this something that has lasting value.

~Sunny :D