{THE WHOLE WOMAN BLOGSHOP} A DEVOTIONAL WITH ASHLIE KYLES

 When I asked Ashlie to write as the Lord led her, she did exactly that. And the subject matter is one that I think single people should hear --and be reminded of--more often. Today, Ashie Kyles shares with us a devotional that lets us know that "single" is not a dirty word.

[Be sure to read her "Tips for making the most of your quiet time with God" at the end of the feature.]

Do you find yourself asking God, yet again, “Why am I still single?” Millions of women worldwide are asking the same question. The word ‘single’ has often been tied to being alone, desperate or incomplete; but in actuality, that is far from true. If the thought of being single another five minutes makes you squirm…then you may need to hear this: your season of singleness is a gift from God, embrace it.

In select parts of 1 Corinthians 7, the Apostle Paul makes it clear that being single has some great advantages. This season allows for undivided devotion to the Lord, providing the opportunity for maturity and growth in your spiritual walk. Due to familial responsibilities, married people sometimes have restraints that may limit the amount of time, effort and devotion required to do the same. Therefore, do not be so quick to jump into marriage, or you will find yourself with the wrong person or ill-equipped for the duty of being a wife.

Use this unrestricted time wisely for self exploration. The best way to find the right person is to first be the right person. This freedom may be the only chance you have to learn what you are passionate about and discover who you want to be without having to confer with another individual. Start with working on becoming the person that God would have you to be, not who someone else would want you to be. Also take these precious moments to define physical and emotional margins for relationships; therefore you know where you stand when faced with temptations.

Single doesn’t have to be a dirty word. We have the greatest examples in the Bible, Jesus and the Apostle Paul, whose singleness did not define their calling. They demonstrated that being single does not mean that one is left lonely or un-encouraged. In fact, they both embraced the support, encouragement and prayers of others in fulfilling their divine purposes. The Body of Christ can be an irreplaceable resource to singles.

If being a wife is something you really want in life, God knows it. Allow Him to work His plan; He knows what is best for us. When you realize that this season is a gift and building block for the next stage of responsibility, you will start to be more at peace with where you are in your singleness. In God’s good and perfect timing, He will provide a mate for you. In the meantime, here is a good acronym to define your newfound freedom…

S.I.N.G.L.E…Settling Is Not Good. Living Expectantly.

Tips for making the most of your quiet time with God:
•Set aside at least 15 minutes of your daily schedule for prayer and bible study.
•Find a reputable translation to help you in your bible study. Zondervan has some really helpful study bibles available.
•Invest in a concordance or bible software program. They will help and guide you to related scriptures for more specific answers to bible questions.
•Find a quiet place, away from distractions, where you can have uninterrupted time with the Lord.
•Ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for you in prayer and give you wisdom to understand what you are reading in Scripture.