God’s Perfect Plan for Our Lives, with a Goal of Heaven

Swen Sorvala  |  The Voice of Zion February 2026 - Home and Family Articles --

Through His allegory of the true vine, Jesus teaches us that we are to remain in His kingdom throughout our lives. The overarching message is clear: each branch must stay attached to the main trunk in order to live. Connected to the life-giving trunk is the source of all nourishment and future hope. Jesus tells us why He gave this example – so that His “joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11).

Small buds grow from the main trunk – tender, fragile, and full of potential. These buds develop into shoots, which grow and produce leaves of their own. In the summer, flowers emerge. When these flowers are pollinated, fruit is born.

Each stage – the bud, shoot, flower, and fruit – depends on the nourishment that comes from the main trunk. Jesus gives us this clear picture of how our faith life is to be lived. Throughout our lives, we are to acknowledge that our strength comes from Jesus’ merit work. The gospel of Christ is the “…power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16, NIV). This is true in every stage of life: youth, single or married life, escort or parental duties, and into our elder or twilight years.

It is not sufficient to remain attached for only certain phases of life and then detach during others. There is no life-giving sustenance apart from the main branch. Branches that are not connected wither; “Such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned” (John 15:6, NIV).

The hope of this series, God’s Perfect Plan for Our Lives with a Goal of Heaven, is to help dear believers see that God’s kingdom is a source of comfort in every stage of life. Therein is hope: “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Rom. 15:13).

Our life is fleeting, and our body is but dust. May His righteousness keep our families and friendships firmly attached to His salvation message. “As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children” (Ps. 103:15–17).  Φ

Not Alone on the Journey

Shelley Ylioja

As with any demographic, a single believer’s experience within the congregation can look quite different from one individual to another. A variety of factors shape that experience, including age, gender, personality, living situation, family of origin, physical and mental health, career, and interests. For instance, a young versus middle-aged single, one with several believing siblings versus none, one who lives alone versus with roommates, or one who is more introverted versus extroverted may differ significantly in how much they rely on congregation members and events for social opportunities and emotional support.

Nevertheless, every believer needs the care of the congregation and the support of fellow believers to help reach our heavenly goal. The enemy of souls keeps the single believer in his target just as he does every member of God’s kingdom, even though the specific trials and temptations may differ.

A single believer’s closest escort along the journey may not be the same as that of a married believer, whose spouse typically fills that role, but it is still necessary that each of us has such an escort. Over the course of adult life, this escort may change as friends marry and the group of singles becomes smaller. Singles may need to put more effort into forming new friendships with younger single believers and maintaining friendships with peers who have since married.

It is a blessing to have escorts who are fellow singles in a similar walk of life. At the same time, friendships with believers in other life situations are also mutually beneficial. These relationships allow us to gain alternate perspectives and to recognize that both trials and joys are present in all circumstances of life.

There can be many blessings in the life of a single believer. Singles often have greater autonomy over their time and flexibility to explore hobbies and travel. Especially for single females, there may be more opportunity than for married peers to pursue a career, which can bring fulfillment in temporal life. Compared to married siblings, singles may also be able to spend more time with aging parents and develop close relationships with nieces and nephews.

The relationships of a single believer can be varied and rich, encompassing a wide range of ages and life situations. While it is not a spouse or one’s own child who fulfills the single person’s need for human love and connection, it may instead be a friend, sibling, niece, uncle, or parent at any given time. There is much joy and connection to be found with fellow believers from all walks of life in the congregation, if one chooses to look for it.

God’s kingdom rightly emphasizes the blessing of being gifted a spouse, and congregation life naturally focuses on families and children. At times, single believers may question whether they are somehow less worthy for not having received this gift, or whether they are of lesser importance within God’s kingdom. There may also be temptation to look outside of God’s kingdom for a life’s partner.

Singles can pray that they would not entertain such doubts and that they would truly believe every individual is equally important to God, each having a place within His congregation. When a single believer can trust that God has purposefully created each one of us and chosen our specific life’s path, this trust brings greater contentment in daily temporal life and helps us continue traveling as members of God’s kingdom.  

God Provides What I Need

Kamiryn Klassen 

What Brings You Comfort and Fulfillment in God’s Kingdom?

As a single person in God’s Kingdom, life brings doubts and trials as well as joy and fulfillment. Growing up, many young girls dream of becoming a wife and a mom, and even as I have gotten older, that dream still feels as far away as it did when I was a child.

In my adulthood, like many others, I have found joy and freedom in being single by going to haps, strengthening friendships, and helping friends and family in need. Being a helping hand in the congregation has brought moments of joy to my heart. These opportunities have allowed me to connect with both young and old, hearing pieces of their lives through shared smiles, laughter, and conversation.

As I have grown, I have realized that God works in mysterious ways and that I can live a fulfilling life through His creation and through the lives of the people I am able to touch. I was once told, “Sometimes you meet people who are meant to be in your life for a short time, and they bring the thoughts and comfort you need in that moment.” This has stayed with me as I continue to strengthen my faith and serve my community in whatever ways I can.

As Galatians 6:2 (NIV) reminds us, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” We are not meant to travel this journey alone. As a young single person in the congregation, it brings comfort to my heart to know that I am never truly alone, and that peace can be found in the simple, beautiful interactions of daily life.

What Kind of Support Do You Long For?  How Do You Find This Support?

Growing up in God’s Kingdom, we often pray and hope that we would remain believing as we travel on our journey. I have found myself wondering how such a weak person can continue to believe, especially when I feel alone – even when surrounded by friends and family.

During these moments, I look forward to haps and spending time with the youth in my church, strengthening lifelong friendships. Because of my job, I am not always able to attend services every week, so I go whenever I can and listen online when I am away. While much support comes from brothers and sisters in faith, music has also been a source of comfort – listening to and playing the songs and hymns of Zion along this narrow way.

I have often wished and prayed for someone believing to share this journey with, especially on difficult workdays. As a first responder, I recently experienced something that felt impossible to explain. For several days afterward, I struggled to find the good in the world where it once seemed so bright. During that time, I turned to God and found comfort in Psalm 34:18 (NIV): “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

As I drove the two hours home after my final shift, that verse stayed with me. Though I felt broken, God was healing me through His Word. Even exhausted, I chose to go to haps. I didn’t say much, but the hugs, small smiles, and shared songs helped more than my friends could ever know. These moments remind me that though I may still long for a life partner, God provides what I need.

Is There Pressure from the World?

“We are part of the world, not of the world.” At work, it is often pointed out that I am different – that I don’t swear, watch certain TV shows, or live according to values they consider strange. Some have even told me that I live in a cult and need to escape. I’ve come to understand that many of these comments come from confusion rather than malice, and from unanswered questions.

Long conversations, where I answered as best I could, seemed to help them better understand my life and my goal of reaching heaven. These discussions can be difficult, especially when I feel alone without believing support nearby. Satan can feel close in daily life, whispering doubts and telling me I am not enough.

Still, I have also seen small moments of understanding. While my coworkers may not fully understand why I believe, many have come to respect it as part of who I am. Though there is pressure from the world to leave, I have never felt the need to hide that I am happy to belong to such a loving congregation and community. 

In the Care of the Congregation

Trevor Simonson

Being single in God’s kingdom comes with its own trials and doubts, but also distinct joys and blessings. At times, it can seem that our life as believers centers around the family unit, and a single person may feel less noticed or valued than those with families of their own. Yet being single also carries unique benefits. As singles, we have freedom to explore different paths in life and opportunities to serve those around us. We can live joyful and fulfilling lives as single believers in God’s kingdom, where we are in the care of the congregation. The Apostle Paul writes, “For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I” (1 Cor. 7:7,8).

It is our hope and prayer as believers that we would remain in God’s kingdom. Singles can come to rely heavily on the congregation for support on the narrow pathway that leads to heaven. This support comes in many forms and from many places. The greatest support the congregation offers is that it is the place where we can hear God’s Word. It has been a great blessing for me to set aside the matters of temporal life and listen to God’s Word, which guides and sustains us.

In addition to spiritual nourishment, singles also have other needs that the congregation can help fulfill. Humans are created with a need to belong. The congregation can help ensure that singles feel accepted and valued as members of the body. This can happen through friendships, opportunities to socialize, and even through having duties to perform, which help one feel part of the life and work of the congregation.

Those in the world share this same need to belong and seek it through countless groups and activities – teams, clubs, concerts, shows, and sporting events. Belonging to a community can add meaning to one’s life, and singles may be especially tempted in this area. Connections formed outside the congregation can sometimes begin to feel more meaningful than the sense of belonging that comes from our shared faith. It is important for singles to be reminded that the best place we can be is in the kingdom of God, among believers. “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Eph. 2:19).

Being single also brings many questions. Singles may wonder whether they will be blessed with a believing spouse, and there can be pressure and temptation from the world in this area. In today’s world of social media and dating apps, people can connect anytime and anywhere. There may be temptation to look outside God’s kingdom for a life’s partner, and Satan can be close in these matters, sowing doubt about the teachings of God’s Word.

Living without a spouse or family of one’s own can lead to feelings of loneliness. From that lonely place, the world and its attractions can seem especially inviting. It may feel as though we are missing out on life, particularly as we watch peers take part in what the world offers. Life’s questions may not be answered in the way we expect, or they may seem unanswered altogether. In times of trial and doubt, it is important to return to what matters most – our faith. Singles can lean on the congregation as a guiding light that points us toward what is eternal.  

How Can I Be an Escort in Faith?

• Speak openly about life and faith, walking alongside one another as a brother or sister in Christ. Forgive one another’s sins.

• Ask how others are doing – and truly listen, offering support in times of trial as well as in moments of joy.

• Recognize that singleness includes both joys and blessings, and understand that not all singles are seeking a spouse.

• Extend invitations into your home, especially during holidays or special occasions, and particularly to those who do not have nearby family.

• Offer simple gestures of welcome, such as greeting one another at church and making space for connection.

• Share stories openly, without measuring one life against another, trusting that hearing others’ joys and struggles can help us see the blessings in our own.

Discussion questions

1. What does it look like, in everyday life, to walk alongside someone as an escort in faith?

2. What small actions or words have helped you feel supported?

3. Where do you see the congregation already caring well for single believers – and where could that care grow or deepen?

4. What joys or freedoms has your current stage of life given you, and how can those be received with gratitude rather than comparison?

5. How can we create spaces where singles feel valued and included, even when much of congregational life centers on families?

6. How can we share our joys and struggles openly while avoiding unnecessary comparison, trusting that hearing others’ experiences can help us recognize the good in our own lives?

7. When pressure from the world challenges faith or belonging, what helps you remain rooted in God’s kingdom and connected to fellow believers?

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