Nashay: Saved, Single & Satisfied
THERE IS SO MUCH TO BE GAINED FROM BEING SAVED, SINGLE AND SATISFIED. By Minister Nashay Davis
KANSAS CITY, Kan – As a newly divorced, young woman, I have begun my quest to begin life anew. I want to live adventurously, boldly, let loose—all while remaining true to the principles of faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That’s right: my goal is to live vibrantly and fabulously without pushing the limits of my integrity beyond those set forth as a believer in the name of the only begotten Son of the Father. I am not bond by the laws of religion. Freedom in Christ grants me the license to do whatever I want! I choose to be a slave for Christ!
Dare I say that many, if not all of singles who proclaim Christianity are faced with the obstacle of choosing one of three paths: 1) the world’s way of riotous living (see Luke 15:13), 2) the church’s take on Paul’s teaching of “better to marry than to burn” (see I Corinthians 7:9), or 3) the Biblical standard of remaining just as Paul was–single and satisfied (I Corinthians 7:8). Unlike the prodigal son, those of us who are not into snatching our life’s savings to run away to “fill-in-the-blank with and extravagant location” are out of luck if we are searching for a ton of books, tapes, websites or media dedicated to support those of us who actually see the value of singlehood.
This lack of “self-help” material may inevitably lead one to sneak-a-peek at the latest articles that Ebony, Redbook, and (God-forbid) Cosmopolitan and GQ magazines have to offer about the unhitched way of living. Let us just say, that this is what gets us “started”. †Started down the path to the breakdown of our integrity and the much more emotional stress than paying bills with one income or sleeping alone at night could ever cause. Is it really worth it?
It is even less fortunate that our churches often lack effective inreach efforts geared at meeting the needs of the “single and satisfied” bunch. Suffice it to say that because the Church often caters to intact families or seeks to create them, there is not a wide variety of Biblically-based resources available to the single individual who is wants to remain dedicated to Christ, however long that may be. Many of the so-called single’s groups are geared toward assisting the single in becoming attached rather than becoming whole in Christ. †Singles are seen and even view themselves as less than whole, searching for that mate to “add the increase”.
Yet, God’s word makes it known that “Christ is all and in all”. Therefore, his grace is sufficient to allow us to live wholly in him whether or not we can place “married” or “head of household” on our tax return! You see, NO ONE can live your life for you—not the world, not the church, not even your best friend Sally who has been trying to hook you up for months. So do not allow well-meaning people to force you along a journey for which you are not ready or one that you know will lead down a path of destruction. Let us “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
And while you are at it, God may decide to do “exceeding abundantly above all that you could ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). You never know the plan of God; bask in his loving arms today. He’s a magnificent lover and friend. I have adopted the following affirmation for my life. Feel free to print and post is somewhere where you can be reminded of your choice to live for God and not be pressured to do anything more than exist in him.
Where I am today: I desire to live a “holy and acceptable” life in Christ. I want to submit my will to Him in exchange for his perfect will to be done in me. I will not feel pressured any longer to choose my life course. I will follow hard after God and live according to his will and purpose for my life. This does not include man’s opinion, what is popular, or my own fleshly desires. Nor does it entail any lie that Satan may throw out. I am living for today as well as to live again. To God be the Glory! That’s just for today. You can decide whatever you want tomorrow—as long as it’s in God’s plan for you!!! Live Boldly!!!
Minister Nashay Davis MSW, founder of the Bold Life Outreach Commission, is the religious editor of “Mass Appeal News.” She welcomes your comments at shayzblest@yahoo.com
December 15th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Whats good shay… Really like the the Article… When did you start doing this? Love it all… Keep it coming.
December 15th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
I agree with Jamale…this is a very good article. Sometimes people lower their standards and stray away from God when they become single. Nashay I do believe we need to do more in the ministry for singles. God has a plan for all of us whether we are marriage or single doesn’t matter. Great article!
December 19th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
excellent article Nashay! I am also recently single and I’m having the time of my life. I’m coming out of a bad relationship so it feels so good to have a peace of mind and to get in touch with my spiritual self.
December 22nd, 2009 at 2:02 am
i love your article. very deep and inspirational
December 22nd, 2009 at 4:30 pm
I agree with Cinnabun5712. There is nothing more satisfying than a peace of mind. All these women are quick to hop into a relationship with every Tom, Dick, and Harry just to say they got somebody.
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Preach Nashay! I agree with every word. GREAT ARTICLE!!!
December 30th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
my friend told me about your blog and i enjoy your work. as women we must understand a man does not define us. we must define ourselves first if we want to be truly happy. i can do bad by myself. i dont need any help doing that.
December 31st, 2009 at 11:50 am
Real talk is what I like. Being bold enough to share some of your pain helps others.Trust you aren’t the only one dealing with life AFTER a marriage. While our hope in God will encourage us and our faith in God will sustain us, real talk with others will keep us grounded. In this case, it won’t be that misery loves company, it is simply that we are not the only one dealing with an issue that causes us to reevaluate life. 1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” So your trial today becomes your victory tomorrow and then your testimony going forward. Keep up the good work, because at one point your faithfulness to God, turns into God’s favor towards you!!!
January 3rd, 2010 at 6:33 am
love how you incorporate the scriptures into your article. very helpful…I agree with Hattie just keep going strong and God will continue to Bless You!
January 9th, 2010 at 9:35 am
SAVED, SINGLE AND SATISFIED. THE TITLE SAYS IT ALL. GREAT ARTICLE!!!
January 19th, 2010 at 8:35 am
just want to say i really enjoy your writing and the messages you send to young women. God bless you on all future endeavors
January 23rd, 2010 at 12:25 pm
This is a wonderful article. We must remember to place God above all else to receive our blessings. There is nothing wrong with being single. God has a plan for all of us.
January 26th, 2010 at 5:33 pm
LOVE IT…LOVE IT…LOVE IT!!!
January 29th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
it seems like black women are always tryin to prove they can live without the black man. God didnt put us here to be single. He put us here to wed and love each other. as black people, we need to get back to strong family values. and that starts in church.
March 16th, 2010 at 7:14 am
Just wanted to comment on the statement made by BlackMan4Real. I agree God didn’t put us here to be single forever. But while we are single, we should be saved and satisfied, right? The scripture lets us know that in whatever state we find ourselves in to be content. Read Philippians 4:10-12 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
so until our mate comes along, is there anything wrong in being ok with being single? What do you think BlackMan4Real?