SELF DEVELOPMENT (1)
Dear Reader,
I specially welcome you to the month of June. It shall be a most fulfilling month for you in Jesus name. Our focus for this month will be on Self Development.
Someone rightly said that self-development is “the conscious choice to improve one’s life and to become a better person and to grow as an individual”.
It is the act of deciding for yourself how to improve your skills and taking action to do this: It is actually a lifelong process. Your single days are the most appropriate time to prepare for the future. The Bible gives insight into how you can make the best use of your single days to the glory of God, thereby laying a great foundation for distinction in life.
Let’s examine some basic ways to develop oneself for the future:
Develop A Close Relationship with God
As a single person, the first point of contact for personal development is to develop a close relationship with God. God’s Word says: …Careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:32). That is to say, your single days are to be spent developing your relationship with the Lord, and seeking to please Him always. It is highly profitable to every area and aspect of your life, as a single person (1 Timothy 4:8).
Now that you are unhindered by family responsibility, you can always have a better acquaintance with God, by taking out time to study and meditate on His Word (the Bible and Christian literature). As you get acquainted with the Word, you get more acquainted with the Lord.
When I first met my husband, I saw that he was dedicated to the Lord and His service. Even before marriage, I used to hear him say on a number of occasions, ‘I am sold out to the Lord.’ This has created a platform for success in life and ministry, today.
Serve The Lord Unreservedly
During your single days, you can serve the Lord unreservedly without your focus being broken by family responsibilities. God’s Word points out what your focus should be, if you want to enjoy all other things life and salvation have to offer (Matthew 6:33).
Having a right purpose for living prevents aimless wandering. If your purpose for living is not to serve the Lord, then you don’t have a right purpose for living.
There are many areas in which you can render service to the Lord. Don’t just be a bench warmer in church; join a service group like the ushering, choir, decorating, security unit, etc. As you do, God will reward you as a labourer. Do you want God’s reward? (Hebrews 11:6). Then refuse to be an onlooker; God only rewards labourers not onlookers.
You are meant to be single and useful, not single and useless. So, find a need and fill it. No matter the area of assignment in your place of work, school, or church, etc., be diligent and dedicated.
Build Yourself Up
Your single days are an opportunity to exhibit the qualities you want in your future spouse. Remember, God’s Word says: Every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). God has only good and perfect gifts. So, make yourself a good thing for God to give to that child of His looking for a good husband or good wife.
They say water finds its own level. For instance, if you desire a pastor as a husband, you must build yourself up in the things of God. If you desire a financial pillar for the Church of Christ as a partner, you must build yourself up as a worthy complement.
Begin to search the scriptures and other Bible-related materials, to know what you are expected to do, so as to make happen what you desire for your family. Good husbands and wives are not born; they are made.
God wants you to make the best use of your single days, so that you can live your life to the fullest, and also be able to enjoy your future family. So, work at it!
In case you are not yet born again, you cannot align yourself to God’s original intent for fulfilment in life. You become born again by genuinely confessing your sins and consciously accepting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. please pray this prayer: “Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You today acknowledging that I am a sinner who needs Your forgiveness. I believe You died for me and rose again on the third day. Forgive me my sins, wash me with Your Blood and write my name in the Lamb’s Book of life. Thank You Lord for saving me.”
Congratulations! That’s it! Till I come your way next time, please call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: E-mail: contact@faithoyedepo.org; Tel. No: 07026385437, 08141320204.
For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian Bookstores: Singles With A Difference, A Living Witness and Make your life Count!