This week’s Challenge to Women is particularly applicable to me:

“That, if you are single, you exploit your singleness to the full in devotion to Christ and not be paralyzed by the desire to be married.”

I absolutely love how this is worded. This has been the “goal” of my singleness, but I’ve never been able to put it so succinctly.

I do want to “exploit” my singleness. I love the freedom and flexibility that comes with my relationship status. It truly is a gift. But it’s not a gift to spend on myself.

The second part of this challenge I love just as much. I don’t want to be “paralyzed by the desire to be married.”

I know what it’s like to be paralyzed—or at least partially paralyzed—by the desire for marriage. I don’t want to go back there. I don’t want to be held back by some fear that I may be single all my life.

I also don’t want to make my singleness an obstacle, if that makes sense. It’s easy to allow it to hold me back from going places or serving people. I don’t want that to be the case.