Renewed Perspective

I was browsing for an online devotional to start my morning and stumble across the words of John Piper. God spoke straight to my heart with words that I needed to here. I am eager to seek God in my singleness, but struggle with the same dilemma as most girls--the desire to experience a similar intimate relationship on earth, as I experience with Christ.

I've worried for too long about whether or not God will bring someone into my life. I have tried countless times to give everything up to God, and somehow the nagging feeling always comes back. But John Piper's words today spoke a new truth about singleness and portrays it in a way that excites me. Today...I think my perspective has changed and I will see my singleness as a purposeful design of Christ. He will bestow on my the blessing of purpose, if I choose to follow Him. I will not attempt to control my circumstances, but rather let Christ use me to bring birth to new believers.

Thanks Lord, for bringing this new perspective to me today and allowing it to resonate with and relieve my weary heart.

Here is a portion of what John Piper said @http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/2007/2162_Single_in_Christ_A_Name_Better_Than_Sons_and_Daughters/

"My main point is that God promises those of you who remain single in Christ blessings that are better than the blessings of marriage and children, and he calls you to display, by the Christ-exalting devotion of your singleness, the truths about Christ and his kingdom that shine more clearly through singleness than through marriage and childrearing. The truths, namely,

1. That the family of God grows not by propagation through sexual intercourse, but by regeneration through faith in Christ;¹
2. That relationships in Christ are more permanent, and more precious, than relationships in families (and, of course, it is wonderful when relationships in families are also relationships in Christ; but we know that is often not the case);
3. That marriage is temporary, and finally gives way to the relationship to which it was pointing all along: Christ and the church—the way a picture is no longer needed when you see face to face;
4. That faithfulness to Christ defines the value of life; all other relationships get their final significance from this. No family relationship is ultimate; relationship to Christ is.

To say the main point more briefly: God promises spectacular blessings to those of you who remain single in Christ, and he gives you an extraordinary calling for your life. To be single in Christ is, therefore, not a falling short of God’s best, but a path of Christ-exalting, covenant-keeping obedience that many are called to walk."