I'm sorry but it seems the basic premise to the response to this woman is deeply flawed. There is a biblical mandate to procreate. Being fruitful and multiplying is part of the purpose that God created mankind. As his image bearers we are to fill the earth with offspring. Having children goes down to the very core for why we were created. You see this in Gen chapter 1 verse 28, and again after the flood in Gen 9:1 as God is refocusing mankind toward original purpose and design. Being fruitful and multiplying is also one of the ways God blesses people. That's one of the reasons why when you read scripture women were ashamed when they were barren. It was viewed as being a curse from God not to be able to have children. Psalm 127:3 says, Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. What you are saying to God when you are closing yourself off to parenthood, is "God I don't want your blessing." Children are a blessing in many ways, but the true blessing comes, because they require you give yourself up for a higher purpose. As one commentator stated earlier, people say the desire not to have children is viewed as selfish...well it is. Especially for woman rejecting motherhood to pursue careers. God designed each sex uniquely and specifically to fill a role and function for the flourishing of all of creation. The fact that you are a woman, designed as the helper, intrinsically ties you to motherhood and childbearing. Our culture and society are promoting us away from the design that God intended and more toward a self indulgent life...being lovers of ourselves and our money (2 Tim 3:2). In this culture now its common for women give up motherhood in pursuit of career, and men give up career in pursuit of laziness and remaining child-like. Not wanting kids, is in essence a desire to live for yourself and your own convenience. Which is an anti-Christian ethic. Giving up yourself, being self-sacrificing is the attitude Christ Jesus had and desires for us to mirror. Its a worship issue...what do you worship more...convenience, or Christ? I was the anti-kid guy. I never wanted kids. Convenience was my god up until I saw my first child be born (which was totally unplanned). I was freaking out on the inside though I acted excited on the outside...I was freaking out because I thought my life was over. Then, the moment I saw my daughter's head as she was being born I became a different person. People who don't have kids can't understand the miracle that happens the moment you see your child born. That's why you are okay with not having them. A spiritual connection takes place at birth and you realize a love for someone you have never experienced before. For me, that day my daughter was born, the Holy Spirit began to reveal just how selfish I really was and take me on a journey. Now, four kids later, I can say I'm still not perfect, but light years from where I was. If it wasn't for my kids, I don't think I would even be married today, because my selfishness would have ruined my marriage. Children are a great gift, not because they make you feel good (that's also a selfish attitude) but because they help you be more like Jesus, and give you insight into the Father's love for us. God may not give you children, and that's okay, because it means he is calling you for a specific purpose...maybe to adopt...or maybe some other form of ministry. But for those who can have children and choose not to, you are missing out on an incredible blessing God wants to give you. I pray that you do not close yourself off to the idea, but surrender it to Jesus, and let the Holy Spirit lead your decisions, not our culture of convenience. And by the way...if you do decide to have kids I can promise once you have them you wouldn't trade them for the world. Even though some days it sounds like a really good idea :)!

I am so glad the author didn't go the "be fruitful and multiply" route! This is a great response.

For those who are tempted to go that route:

1. The verse actually says, "Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it." Mission accomplished!! There are 7 billion people in this world, many who don't have enough to eat or clean water to drink. Let's take care of the ones we have before we go pressuring other people to make more.

2. What if I told you... that we could interpret "Be fruitful and multiply" in a spiritual sense? Has your faith been fruitful? Has your church multiplied recently?

You wrote, "Everything else—like the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the children we may or may not have, the jobs we love and everything else—is all in God’s control, timing and purview." This doesn't seem to match up with an answer of "yes, you can choose career over children" unless you are speaking to a single woman. If your answer is aimed at a married woman, then I hope she isn't "planning" whether or not to have children via birth control (which in most cases is an abortifacient and in no case is really "trusting God's control or timing" of the womb).

Biblically, a single woman may choose a career without qualms. A married woman, however, does have the Biblical mandate to be a woman who loves her husband, is a keeper of the home, and one who welcomes and trains her children. Does this mean she will never work outside the home? No, but she may have limited seasons to which she can devote her attention to such things. Colossians speaks of doing whatever we do with all our might for the Lord. If you want to remain "childless and happy" than Biblically, you choose to follow a path like the Apostle Paul (as a single person). Once you marry, however, you have entered a realm where God has much to say, and in the Bible that word is never, "Women, go have a career. I don't want you to have children." Though a marriage may not always naturally result in children, God's design for marriage is to bear fruit, and the natural fruit of a healthy, godly marriage is the blessing of children.

Very relevant discussion as the trend is to try to increase women's representation in the workplace. The author, however, diminishes the role of the Bible in this decision. 1) The Bible indicates marriage is normative for all people. It is the pre-Fall creation pattern set out for us. The blessing of Abraham was to be on all the families of the earth, which requires marriage, of course. Paul's desire in 1 Corinthians 7:7 does not mean he wants all to be single, but that he wishes all would have self-control as he does as that is the issue (see especially v6) he is addressing. 2) Normative does not mean that all must marry but not marrying must not serve self-centered interests. 3) The purpose of Christian marriage serves several purposes: companionship, protection, help in pursuing holiness, sexual enjoyment, and to have children and raise them to serve God. "Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth." Malachi 2:15 (ESV) 4) Wives clearly can conduct business (Proverbs 31), but Scripture indicates that such work should not be contrary to being keepers at home and personally raising children. (Titus 2:3-5).

Take advantage of singlehood and learn to love yourself. Marriage and babies are a game changer. Simple things like sleeping, eating lunch and watching your favorite movie become limited and sometimes unattainable. So make the best of this time. 10 Things To Do While You’re Single: http://www.happysonship.com/top-5-things-to-do-when-youre-single/