Sign up for our free newsletter:

Q. Tell about your own calling to remain single.

A. In spite of rumors to the contrary, I've never taken a solemn vow or heroic decision to remain single! On the contrary, during my twenties and thirties, like most people, I was expecting to marry one day. During this period I twice began to develop a relationship with a lady whom I thought might be God's choice of a life partner for me. But when the time came to make a decision, I lacked an assurance from God that he meant me to go forward. So I drew back. When that had happened twice, I began to believe that God meant me to remain single.

I'm now 76 and well and truly "on the shelf!" Looking back, with the benefit of hindsight, I think I know why. I could never have traveled or written as extensively as I've done if I had had the responsibilities of a wife and family.

What advice do you have for singles?

First, don't be in too great a hurry to get married. We humans don't reach maturity until we're about 25. To marry before this runs the risk of finding yourself at 25 married to somebody who was a very different person at age 20. So be patient. Pray daily that God will guide you to your life partner or show you if He wants you to remain single.

Second, lead a normal social life. Develop many friendships.

Third, if God calls you to singleness, don't fight it. Remember the key text: "We are not all the same. God gives some the gift of marriage, and to others he gives the gift of singleness" (1 Cor. 7:7).

John Stott of Britain is a preacher, evangelist, and Scripture communicator worldwide.

Adapted from Singles at the Crossroads (InterVarsity, 1997) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Lord, help me trust You to arrange the single or marital state that's Your best for me.

				Try an Issue of Men of Integrity Free! Name Street Address City/State/Zip E-mail Address No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders. If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless. Give Men of Integrity as a gift Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!

FREE Newsletter Sign up for the Men of Integrity Newsletter    RSS Feed   RSS Help