So. Has God called you to singleness or marriage? How did you discern that?

If you are called to singleness, is it temporary or for life? How did you discern that?

If you are called to lifelong singleness (“vocational singleness,” as our guest today calls it), is there a creative way to not be lonely in the midst of it?

Why not start a modern-day monastery?

That’s what today’s guest, Pieter Valk, did, and the conversation about the modern-day monastery’s origins and daily life (including how it has changed in the pandemic) was fascinating.

We also explore how to hear the voice of God, and why we identify differently. (Pieter identifies as gay and I (Laurie) don’t–but we also don’t fight about it.)

This was a fun one.

Highlights:

“About three years ago, I felt God was calling me to vocational singleness, but I had no idea how to do that well or, in particular, I didn’t know how I would find family in that.” —Pieter Valk

“‘You still need family,’ [my pastor said]. ‘Could I challenge you to create it? … I think you should start a monastery.’ … The rest was history.” –Pieter Valk

“Married people know…you can’t keep smiling anymore. You can’t do fifty years with this person who is annoying… You’re just going to say it… If you’re a single person but you’re not in a living arrangement where you’re stuck with people in a good way (in a healthy environment), you’re never going to get to that point where you’re really honest with people and iron starts sharpening iron.” –Pieter Valk

Do the Next Thing:

Learn more about the Nashville Family of Brothers here

Check out a video of his on vocational singleness here

Check out Pieter’s work with leading Equip here

That book Pieter mentioned? God’s Voice Within by Father Mark E. Thibodeaux

Our mentoring we do? Check it out here