I'm Not on Hold

I recently downloaded the Desiring God iPad app – what a blessing it has been!  It allows me to stumble upon terrific resources such as articles, sermons, and conference messages.  Last night, as I was getting ready for bed, I took a look through the dating/singleness section and this gem fell into my lap.  At the 2004 Desiring God National Conference, Carolyn McCulley gave a talk titled “We're Not on Hold: BiblicalFemininity for Single Women.”  What an encouraging and challenging message!  I definitely recommend that my single friends out there take an hour out of your day to listen to and meditate on the truths McCulley presents.  I'd love to hear your opinions on her talk!

My Notes on “We're Not on Hold: Biblical Femininity for Single Women”

• As single women in Christ, our lives are NOT on hold until we get married!
• Our modern society portrays a skewed portrait of what a woman should be and has lost of hold of femininity.
• Christ liberates women, not the feminist movement.
• Singleness is a gift from God, and He alone apportions each gift to us.  We’re single because that’s God’s provision for us today.
• CJ Mahaney: “Your greatest need is not a spouse.  Your greatest need is to be delivered from the wrath of God, and that has already been accomplished for you through the death and resurrection of Christ. So why doubt that God will provide a much, much lesser need.  Trust His sovereignty. Trust His wisdom. Trust His love.”\
• Proverbs 31, a portrait of femininity that transcends any particular season of life that we may happen to be in:
• Cultivate your household (vv. 14-15)
• Be hospitable: Our homes are a place of evangelism and rest for the Saints
• Learn to cook: We are to cultivate our homemaking skills
• Steward your finances, skills, talents, and professional training (vv. 16-19)
• These skills and savings would bless a marriage but also sustain a single woman and allow her to bless her church and community
• A big, successful career is not the automatic default for single women
• Be intentional about investing in the future generation (v. 28)
• You may not have biological children, but God has put children in your life to love and shepherd
• Learn parenting skills now and come along side parents to help with the task of raising their children
• Learn from women in different life stages
• We should have a generous orientation towards blessing others.
• We are called to trust God with a hope deferred and know that He can provide everything we need in this life.
• Should we feel the need to “get out there and do something” about our singleness? Rather than worrying about finding a husband, serve God and let him provide a spouse in His time.
• We are not guaranteed a tomorrow, so spend today serving the Lord.
• We are to faithfully administer the gift that God has given us by maximizing our opportunities to serve God.
• God is not finished blessing us! 
• Remember that what we can see of our circumstances is not all that’s there.  God’s silences are not his rejections; they are preparations for a greater revelation of Him.
• Desire for marriage should point us to greater intimacy with God.
• God’s favor arranges the circumstances for our life.  (Ranicar)
• Do not dishonor the Lord with unbelief; waiting in faith is a high form of adoration. (Spurgeon)

Don't forget to comment below and let me know what God

taught you or how he encouraged you through this message.