"God Provides the Grace Necessary to Withstand Opposition from Well-Intentioned Parents, Friends and Church Leaders Who Do Not Understand This Call on Your Life. Singles of every kind are often treated as though something must be wrong with them--especially as they advance into their 30s and 40s. It's the stares, the looks and sometimes the well-intentioned church lady who repeatedly inquires whether or not you have a girl or guy yet. Many, such as this church lady, exert pressure to date and to marry before you are ready, or before God's timing. Perhaps you still need healing in vital areas. Perhaps your future spouse also needs healing (or salvation for that matter) before they can be a healthy mate. Then there are the parents, whose hopes of your getting married and having children have become an obsessive desire. First, they want assurance that you are normal (in other words, not gay). Then, they want grandchildren. Such desires can also get tangled up in a need to be seen by their peers as good, competent and successful parents. On occasion, it may seem as though those mentioned above would rather see you being promiscuous than remaining single--the fruit of a church that knows nothing about, nor values, a call from God to remain single. Through all of this, however, God will give you the grace to endure and to wait for the fruits of your marital union with Him." -- David Kyle Foster
There is no marital union with Him beloved. Only the church collectively is the bride. Foster is right about the condemnation from the church towards singles but convincing some of them that it must be a call from God is simply not supported biblically and potentially dangerous. Mind you, I am not judging Mr. Foster's personal beliefs because I do not know him. If this is the story he has convinced himself of, fine. My concern is for the single sheep out there and the mixed messages this type of article sends. It is difficult enough in the modern church as a single to not have to deal with evaluating if God is calling us to stay that way. Foster closes with some general comments on four areas, which we will go over next time as well as some direction for single Christians.
Reverend Anthony Wade -- December 10, 2018
