Joyful Now, Not "One Day"

{A guest post by Lauriloth of Musings Of An Elf}

It happens from the very beginning. We gather our dolls and stuffed animals, dressing them all up for the big "wedding" of Mr. and (soon to be) Mrs. Bear. We borrow Mother's dresses and have a make-believe ceremony under the tree in the backyard. As we get older we get even more serious about it. We hear a song that would be perfect for the big day. We make pinterest boards to plan out our entire wedding. (Yes, I have one of those.) We wonder how many kids we'll have and already start naming them, middle names included. (I already have some of those too.) From the time we even know what marriage really is, we begin dreaming about our own, yearning for it, even sometimes obsessing over the idea.

Marriage is a very big part of life, and as girls we cannot help but crave the idea of having a male companion by our side and loving us for the rest of our lives, of having our own home, children to care for, and let's not forget that big, fabulous wedding to start out that new, wonderful life. It's an exciting thought. What girl doesn't dream of that day? Wonder who "the one" will be? Hope that he'll come soon?

I'm guilty of all of this. Probably the guiltiest. And the older I get, the worse it gets. "I'm going to be an old maid!" "I'll be single forever!" My overdramatic mind moans these thoughts on a regular basis. My life cannot even begin until I'm married, right?

"But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God..."
(Matthew 6:33)

Wait a minute, that's right. My life isn't about waiting around until I'm married, it's about glorifying God's kingdom.

I spend so much of these single years yearning for marriage. I always have so many plans for when that time comes, so many exciting things I want to do. But why can I not DO now? This is the very time to DO!

Whether you're male, female, single, or married, your purpose in this life is to bring God glory. God has each of us exactly where He wants us to be. He means for us all to continually DO His work, focusing on the here and now, not longing for some "magical" future. Singleness especially is a blessed time to do God's work.

"There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband."
(1 Corinthians 7:35)

Marriage brings on a huge set of responsibilities that keep us from doing what we're able to during these single years. There is so much potential to let God do magnificent things through us while we have these free, youthful years. We cannot waste them being discontent with our singleness. Discontentment only brings despair. Contentment and happiness does not come from marriage, it comes from God. Our joy comes from doing God's work.

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." 
(1 Corinthians 15:58)

Not only that, but how can we ever be ready for marriage if we're not growing in our relationship with our True Love. Doing His services and ever increasing our relationship with Him will prepare us to be good wives and mothers, far better than spending our days planning our wedding on pinterest. If we are not learning to use each day in service to our Lord now, how can we ever get into the practice of it during the hectic days of marriage and being a parent? NOW is the time to equip ourselves for His ministry, for getting into the habit of continuously serving Him.

These are precious years of our lives, years that should never be wasted dreaming of the "one days".

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." 
(Philippians 3:14)

God has given us a high calling. He desires for us to press toward that mark, every minute of every day. Our joy is in Him, and each day we press towards glorifying His kingdom, we will find more and more joy to be had.

"Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."
(Psalm 37:4)

Let's not sit around waiting for our prince charming. Jesus Christ IS our Prince Charming. Whatever hopes and dreams we may have are nothing compared to the glorious plan He has for our lives. All we have to do is rise and follow Him, here and now, and He will be our happily ever after.

Don't forget who your First and True Love is.

"Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:39)

About Lauriloth:
A homeschool graduate of 2010, Lauriloth may or may not be slightly obsessed with Elves and Lord of the Rings. "Lauriloth" means Shining Golden Flower in Tolkien's Elven language. She is a born again Christian, and loves spending her time reading and writing fantasy. Although she does spend an excess amount of time doting over her poodle, Navi, Lauriloth loves to be random and strives to be unique.