The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
— Psalm 121:8
Torry Martin travels all across the United States performing as a Christian comedian at various conferences, cruises, and retreats. He also writes novels, humor columns, and episodes of "Adventures in Odyssey" for Focus on the Family. Listen to his "embracing life" attitude: "There is no doubt in my mind that the reason I'm single right now is because God wanted me to be available for ministry," he told me. "I actually feel called to remain single, and I wouldn't have it any other way."
In addition, he sees his ministry in much broader terms than just his comedy and writing. "I like being single and being available to do whatever God wants me to do," he said. "Whether that's just traveling to see my friends, or going on a mission trip at a moment's notice, or just spending time interceding for others." He goes on to say, "My greatest ministry is having the time to be a good friend to the people in my life who are important."
Torry points to the verse above as motivation for him to embrace life right now. "Knowing that God's got his eye on me forever, whether I remain single or marry, brings great comfort and encourages me to embrace whatever comes my way."
He also has some great advice for singles. "I don't think God is really waiting for people to get married before he can use them to their full potential. Look at the apostle Paul. He wasn't married, and God used him all over the place.
"And what about Mother Teresa? Do you think anyone ever told her that she wasn't living a fulfilled life just because she wasn't married? Or what about the professor on 'Gilligan's Island'? He wasn't married, and that guy was a genius!"
Torry is obviously not afraid to use his comedic talent to make a spiritual point. Something he does quite well.
Digging Deeper Into Psalm 121:8
1. List the ministries that God has given to you – including those you can use to support and encourage your friends and family.
2. Do you believe that you would be able to put as much time, effort, and prayer into all of your ministries if you were married right now? Explain.
3. Have you ever thanked God for giving these ministries to you? If not, take the time to do so now.
4. Does Psalm 121:8 comfort you and encourage you to embrace life right now the way it does Torry?
5. Do you believe that God is waiting for you to be married before he will use you to your full potential? Explain.
Used by permission of Fleming H. Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, copyright © 2005. All rights to this material are reserved. Materials are not to be distributed to other web locations for retrieval, published in other media, or mirrored at other sites without written permission from Baker Publishing Group.
Lee Warren has been the singles columnist for Christianity Online and has also written articles for Decision, Victory, Light and Life, Cross and Quill and Live Wire.
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