Undistracted Devotion -Part 1

1 Cor. 7:34-35

“The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. This I say for your own benefit…to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.”

What is Paul saying here? Paul commands above all that we remain undistracted and devoted to the Lord. This is not a command limited to the unmarried. Indeed no, this command is given to all! Is this possible while serving a husband? Taking care of children? Indeed it is possible.

As a single woman, there is so much more freedom, time, and extended energy capacities to extend in service to the Lord; therefore, she ought to be focused on seeking every opportunity to invest in the lives of others. If she is living a life of sacrifice for others, she will not feel any need to be on the lookout for a godly husband. God will provide one in His perfect timing. But at the same time, I believe it is very important for a young woman to be actively learning and preparing for marriage. How does one maintain a life of devotion to the Lord in whatever season she is in?

There are three topics I would like to address:

1. What can a single woman be doing to remain devoted to the Lord? – I would like to share my story of my single years. How can mothers encourage their daughters in the pursuit of service to others?
2. How can a single woman balance the importance of preparing for marriage without becoming consumed with it or make an idol of it? How can a mother assist in preparing her daughter?
3. How can a married woman take hope and encouragement from this passage? How can she balance being devoted to the Lord while taking care of her household?

I absolutely loved being single (and likewise and I love being married)! The key is to find contentment in the season God has placed you in currently. As a unmarried woman, I greatly enjoyed the freedom to serve, and invest in the lives of others. I believe God has given every woman wonderful gifts that he has designed her to use for His glory. They are not to be hidden, tucked away, or thought only to be beneficial for married life. OR when a women marries, she is not to think she will have no further opportunity to be devoted to the Lord, as further responsibilities lay before her. Remember how the Jesus told the parable of the master who entrusted his coins to his servants while he was away? Upon returning, he expected them to have invested them and receive back the reward of their investment. One invested his 10 and received another 10. One invested his 5 and received another 5. One went and hid it, and lost it all. How are you using the gifts he entrusted to you? Whether single or married? Are you being faithful to invest them in the service of others?

Stay tuned…