Do you remember the song Turn Turn? The Byrds made Turn! Turn!, Pete Seeger’s song, and the scripture it was based on, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 famous in 1965.
The scripture begins: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV).
There is a season for everything in life. What season of life are you in?
Rely on the promises of God
I am in the midst of a protracted season of singleness. An extremely long season. As a result, I often felt sorry for myself in my singleness—a loser, left out, lost, and lonely.
However, now I realize God has the best plan for my life and it’s so much better than any plan I ever dreamed of! Instead of bemoaning my circumstances, I rejoice and praise God for what I have. Undoubtedly, I still have episodes of loneliness and discouragement. I am a work in progress—the work of abiding in Christ and becoming more like him. Therefore, I rely on God’s promises in his Word to revive my peace and joy.
Meanwhile, over the next few weeks, I will reveal my journey through my season of singleness by relying on the promises of God.
And you can do this too—in any lonely season of life such as the death of a spouse or other family member, empty nest, move to a new city, the death of a treasured pet or perhaps important relationships not working out the way you planned.
Rely on the promises of God to see you through the lonely seasons of life.
Because these promises of God are true and he is faithful to fulfill every single one of them for us.
- Know God’s love
- Belong to God
- Trust God’s guidance
- Experience God’s care
Number 1: Know God’s love.
I am a loser.No one loves me. If only someone loved me, then I would be happy. If only I had a husband to love me, then my life would be better.
I desperately searched for love from a man, not realizing that my Heavenly Father loves me more than any man ever could. God created us for a relationship with him. So when we replace God with something or someone else in our lives, we are worshipping an idol which is a sin. However, despite our sins, God loves us so much he sent his son to die for us. Stop and let that sink in. Is there anyone that you would give your life for?
To illustrate, read what Paul wrote in Romans Chapter 8, which author Mark Batterson calls “The Great Eight”:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
Nothing can separate us from God’s unfailing love. Not one thing. Any other love can end. God’s love is everlasting. Above all, there is no greater love to be found, no matter where or how hard you search for it.
In her song, “Blessings,” Laura Story writes of God’s love: “And all the while, You hear each spoken need. Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things.”
Don’t settle for lesser things. Don’t settle for lesser love than the love of God. Other things and relationships may satisfy for a time, but only God’s love lasts forever.
Conclusion
Know God’s love. His love far surpasses anything else you seek. Because God is love.
“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8, NLT).
Check out these posts on my season of singleness: Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.
