The Reality of Falling While I Wait: Singles Event
Last weekend I got out of homebody mode and attended this event for singles entitled “The Reality of Falling While I Wait.” Shout out to Fanny Quioto on for putting on this awesome event to give singles an open and honest atmosphere discuss issues they’re really dealing with, and feature some great vendors and upcoming local artists. The panel set the atmosphere for open and honest dialogue among us. The master of ceremony and panelists started off by emphasizing that we were there to keep the conversation real on what we struggle with as singles. They encouraged us to be honest, and started off the discussion by being transparent themselves. Here are a few of the takeaways I got from the event:
The struggle is real! The MC first asked the panelists what it meant for them to personally experience falling while waiting for their mates. They were candid with their responses. Some admitted to giving in to sex, and others acknowledged dealing with those “yearnings” at night, the desire for some sex, either with someone or through self-gratification (masturbation). Yes, those topics were put on the table! These responses were coming from Christian panelists. I listened and thought this was inspiring for the singles because it reminds us that Christians singles too struggle and fall sometimes. Even though we love God with all our hearts, read our Bibles, and attend church services every Sunday, we do make mistakes. It doesn’t mean we are less of a Christian or love God any less. It means we’re human like everyone else.
We must get in the presence of God! When it was time for questions, a member of the audience asked how can singles deal with and overcome lustful thoughts. One of the panelists said we can overcome those thoughts by getting in the presence of God and staying in His presence. Being in God’s presence goes beyond having a worship experience at church on Sundays. Singles enter into the presence of God by having an intimate and personal relationship with Him. That means you set aside personal quiet time with Him. As you spend time with Him, He speaks to your spirit and you hear from Him through reading His Word and prayer. Another panelist pointed out that the reason we yield to these temptations to fill a void in our lives. Some of us text that ex or that friend we know that likes us. Or it can be going out on dates, wasting time with someone we’re not really interested in just to get a free meal. If we’re honest, these are some of things we do out of boredom, for attention. But the more you spend time with God, He begins to mold you and peel away those layers that are not of Him. The enemy may still try to tempt you through lustful thoughts, but God begins to fill your mind with more of Him, leaving less room for those lustful thoughts to invade your mind.
Get Busy and Productive! A member of the panel emphasized that becoming busy and productive is key to keeping you focused and staying out of trouble. The purpose of singleness is not just to sit around and wait for God to send our mates. This is a season of preparation and fulfilling the purpose (God’s specifically calling for you) God wants us to fulfil at this time. He encouraged us to set goals that will help us develop mentally, spiritually and emotionally. He quoted, “If you’re not busy, Satan will find anything for you to do.”
I hope and pray that the singles received the godly wisdom and encouragement that will help them along this journey and get through this business of waiting! The title “The Reality of Falling While I Wait” was on point, because the reality is that, all of us fall sometimes. There are days when you’re good, and other days when you just don’t have it together. Occasionally our feet will ‘slip’, and we give in to those moments of weakness. But even in those moments when our feet have slipped, God in His lovingkindness (mercy) is there to hold us up and sustain us. When you’re thinking “I can’t believe I did that!” God is always there with us without being judgmental or condemning us. He understands that we’re human and going to make mistakes. God is close beside us even when we have stuff that weighs heavily on us sometimes. He has a wonderful way of calming our storms and speaking peace to our spirits, saying “It’s going to be ok, because I’m always with you and always in control” (Psalm 94:18-19).