(1 Timothy 2:8-15:) I have never written an article before; so I have no exact or concrete ideas on how to present the following; but I really wanted to share with you some things the Lord has put on my heart to share with other young single women. Hopefully you will be encouraged by these thoughts God has impressed on me over the past several years. I am excited that some young people have taken the initiative to fill a void in Christian publications by starting this magazine. There is an amazing lack of material for those of us who are serving the Lord while still single because that is the place the Lord has us in right now!

I would like to share something from verses 9-10 of this passage that the Lord blessed me with through my quiet time recently. Having heard this verse taught many times, as many of us have; I thought that I should share only a thought and not attempt to cover the entire meaning of the passage. I was thinking of how the Lord loves beauty, as we see constantly displayed through the things He has made; both in the creation and in human beings; and trying to fit those thoughts together with this passage in my mind. Then this verse from the Proverbs came to mind and shed a little light on it for me: “Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.” (Proverbs 11:22) The Lord brought this thought to mind: Let our hearts and actions, then, match our God-given outward beauty. It is the hypocrisy of a rotten heart in contrast to it that would make our outward beauty ridiculous or disgusting to God, not the beauty itself; as true beauty begins within. (“As water reflects the face, so a man’s heart reflects the man…. Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart (Prov. 27:19; 1 Samuel 16:7) If I begin with this thought, and try to put it into practice; I know God will make the other details eventually fall into place for me! It is not that God dislikes the very beauty He Himself has created; but rather the truth that true beauty starts within and shines outward as well.

As single women, it is easy to read verses like verse 15 in this passage: (“But women will be saved through child- bearing – if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with propriety.”) and wonder how this could apply to us? I am 26, and, I will admit, when I was much younger; I pictured myself married with children by now. I thank God that, awhile ago, He brought me to a place where, although I would still love (and hope!) to be married in God’s timing for me; I am now content where God has me right now; and in seeking out all the avenues of service He brings my way. As a single woman, I am able to do these things! God has seasons in our life for a purpose, and His timing is perfect. I don’t understand everything that would appear to have “gone wrong” in my life viewed through my limited human understanding; but I do at this point see several reasons why I was probably not ready yet for marriage when I thought I was. Only God can bring us peace with where we are, or our situation, in life; and I do, of course, still have moments of struggling with this. But if we look at things through God’s perspective, there are so many nurturing avenues we can pursue while God’s timing still has us single. Look for opportunities God brings your way with the young children or overwhelmed young (or older!) mothers in your life and try to help out where you can!! Helping out in numerous (even very small) ways can be a huge encouragement to a mother who is starting to feel over-tired and worn down. As well as a ministry and learning experience, giving to others is very rewarding in a spiritual sense.

Thoughts on Titus 2:3-5:

Younger women help the “older”! If we know “older” women in our lives who have lived out, or are attempting to live out this passage, at least in part; and especially if they have poured the time & effort of training into us; then we should try to give back to them. What I am trying to say is that if the Christian obligation of the older women is to teach and train the younger; then the Christian responsibility of the younger women is to help and encourage the older women in carrying this out! That way, it is a never-ending cycle of one being helped and helping another, giving and receiving, and carrying another’s load. For example, if you know a mother who is trying to be an example of loving her husband; but is really busy and stressed out; try to think of ways you can help to free her time up, so she then has more time to spend with her husband. If you know someone who is frustrated because they feel they are not spending enough time with their children; think of a task you can accomplish for her to give her even a few minutes to do that. If the whole family’s time is being taken with a huge project; free some time of your own to help them with it and get it done faster!! It is amazing to give the gift of encouragement and watch what God will use it to do in someone’s life!!