Are
you tired of the singles' scene? Do you feel you were made for
something more than hoping, looking, and waiting? Abujamra writes,
“You were made to thrive.” (12) Jesus died for your sins and
promised abundant life – not a life waiting for the right spouse.
If
you don't want another singles book on waiting but rather one on
living, this one is for you. “You are not half a whole;” she
writes, “you were made whole in Christ.” (14) She wants you to
live that life, to thrive.
Singleness
is a gift God has lovingly and purposefully given to you in order to
thrive. (God really does know best.)
Abujamra
discusses five attitudes every single must have to thrive: learning
contentment (four steps), choosing self-control (sex), embracing
personal holiness as a lifestyle, understanding true freedom (from
what you are set free), and pursuing undivided devotion with focus
and energy.
She
then tackles four obstacles single Christians must overcome:
self-pity (the teaching on this topic is so good and so convicting),
bitterness, idolatry, and loneliness.
She
ends the book with practical ideas to get going, She adds short
biographies of single people who have had tremendous impact for
Christianity.
I
really like this book and highly recommend it. There are several
reasons. First is Abujamra's honesty. She shares her struggles, her
failures, her questions – her life. Second is her teaching on I
Corinthians 7. She is bold in what that passage really says. The
single life is a good life (v. 8), a life of purpose (v. 32), and a
happier life (v. 40). She has written this whole book from a very
biblical viewpoint, something I appreciate very much. She also deals
with issues singles face in a very practical way. A great book all
around.
Food
for thought: “If God's promises are true, then you were made to
thrive no matter what your marital status.” (14) “If you're a
single Christian … you get to spend all of the time married people
spend on each other to simply focus on the Lord!” (104) “...[Y]our
entire purpose and goal, single Christian, if you call yourself a
follower of Jesus Christ, is to be utterly and completely devoted to
the Lord.” (131)
Lina
AbuJamra is a pediatric ER doctor, author, and speaker. A single
woman in her 40s, she serves as the women's ministry director at
Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago, IL. You can find out more about her
and read her blog at http://linaabujamra.com/.
Moody
Publishers, 288 pages. Publisher's product page.
I
received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the
purpose of an independent and honest review.
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