Being single and childless can sometimes bring fear about the future. Fortunately, Isaiah 54:1 offers wonderful hope: by investing in discipleship, you also inherit the benefits of having a family in Christ.

One of the verses in Isaiah inspires us with a truly uplifting message for Christians Singles. “Sing, O barren, You who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, you who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman, says the Lord (Isaiah 54:1 NKJV). In this book, when the “desolate” woman is mentioned, it is an image for the people of Israel who had been temporarily abandoned by God, left to their enemies, for having repeatedly disobeyed God’s commandments. After the exile, God promised to bring his people back to Him, to restore them, and to secure their future.

During this exile, many families had been decimated, and it seemed there would not be enough descendants to restart the race of the chosen. But what is fascinating in this book is God’s idea of ​​converting pagan peoples to become his adopted children. When a Jew was exiled among a pagan people, God made him prosper, took good care of him, and this left its mark on those around him. Many pagans then converted and made God their heavenly Father. Thus, when God says that the forsaken woman will have new children, He is not speaking of biological children. Biological sons are the sons of the married woman. The sons of the deserted woman are therefore more like disciples.

This interpretation is so encouraging for single Christians. Even if we don’t have biological children, whether because we are single and past the age of having them, or because our children have rejected us in some way, we are not left to fend for ourselves. We can still have a family that we will care for, and that will care for us in our old age: our family in Christ.

Our desire to care for others is certainly fulfilled through motherhood or fatherhood, but not only in this way. Making disciples is also another way to practice our motherhood or fatherhood. Being available ²⁴⁄₇ to pray and encourage a new believer in their faith; spending money to buy them books, music, and sign them up for conventions; inviting them to dinner to teach them the basics of the Christian life; correcting them when they are on the wrong path; Worrying and interceding with tears for them when they turn away from God… this is the same type of action related to motherhood. Paul often used the term “children” when speaking of the disciples of Christ he was training. He even said in Galatians 4:19 (NKJV): “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you.” Forming Christ in a disciple is another way to experience motherhood and fatherhood.

Parents have always invested in their children with the hope that they, in turn, will take care of them when they are older. This situation can cause anxiety for singles who have not had biological children. But again, investing in discipleship can also secure our future, in a way. By serving others in our church (or even in a community organization), we not only please God, but we also make ourselves known. By giving our time to certain people in our church, these people will also keep us in mind when it’s our turn to need them. We shouldn’t wait for someone to ask for our help: let’s take the initiative and be present in the lives of others through phone calls or by always accepting their invitations. We don’t make disciples of Christ to be noticed, of course; we do it to grow the Kingdom of God. Nor do we place our trust in these people, because only God deserves our trust. But the law of sowing and reaping still applies here, and we benefit from helping others around us.

Isn’t this a wonderful encouragement for singles? Even if you don’t have children, you won’t be alone in your old age if you start making disciples today. God’s plan is perfect!