“Have you met anyone yet?” Carla hesitated. That question always stirred something heavy in her chest. Instead of answering, she gave a soft smile and changed the subject. She didn’t want to say it—not again. That she was still single. Still waiting. Still watching from the sidelines as life moved forward for everyone else.
Year after year, it’s been the same scene. Friends getting engaged. Posting wedding photos. Starting families. And while Carla celebrates them sincerely, she can’t help but wonder why her story seems stuck on pause, with no dates and no prospects. Just the unspoken heaviness of hope that is delayed.
Let’s be real—when your relationship with God gets deeper, your options can feel fewer. You don’t want just any man. You want one who hears from God, honors His Word, and loves Christ more than he loves anyone else. That kind of desire narrows the field, but it doesn’t cancel the promise. God’s not out of options, and He’s certainly never late.
We just have to stop seeing our lives through natural eyes. God’s not bound by what we see. He’s not like us. He doesn’t lie. He doesn’t forget. And He’s never slack concerning His promises. Philippians 1:20 (NLT) says, “For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ… And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.” That’s not the mindset of someone defeated. That’s the voice of someone still expecting, still believing, and still in the game with a fully persuaded faith.
You’ve got to get anchored in this truth: your life was never meant to be lived on the sidelines. It’s not God’s Will for you to stay fruitless, empty, or always waiting for something to finally begin. Yes, marriage is a beautiful blessing—but it’s not the only one. While you’re praying for a partner, God might be calling you to wake up parts of yourself that got tired in the waiting. The truth is, when our mandate to bear fruit for God’s Kingdom slips into second place, our personal desires start drifting out of alignment with His Will. That’s when the ache gets louder. But instead of settling in that space, ask the Holy Spirit to highlight what needs to be revived—your passion, your purpose, your joy. Jesus didn’t go to the cross just to save your soul—He gave His life to breathe power and purpose into your whole existence.
The longer we watch life happen for everyone else, the more tempted we are to believe the lie that we’ve been overlooked—that maybe something’s wrong with us, or we’re too late. That’s not the case. Proverbs 20:24 (NLT) reminds us, “The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” God’s not asking you to figure it all out. He’s asking you to trust the pace He’s set for your journey.
Yes, watching from the sidelines is hard. But this isn’t the end for you—not by a long shot. Don’t let envy take root. Don’t let comparison rob your joy. And don’t sit back so long that you stop showing up for your own life. Proverbs 16:4 (NLT) says, “The Lord has made everything for his own purposes.” That includes you. He didn’t create you to be a spectator—He created you for impact.
So get back in position. Not to chase after a man—but to chase after purpose. To steward your days with faith and expectancy. Get back in God’s Word. Get back in prayer. Ask Him to show you what this season is really for. Because one thing’s for sure: He hasn’t left you on the sidelines. He’s just preparing you for your turn on the field. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Watching from the Sidelines”, written by Kim Times, edited by Reverend Fran Mack and KLizzie for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2025. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.