First Blog Post ~ The Single Life: Part 1

I want to start with what the Bible says about being single.  Not much is said about singles, but what the Bible does say is so important and so clear.

We can find what is said about singles in 1 Corinthians 7.  Paul is responding to questions the Corinthians asked regarding Christian life and marriage.  Verses 7-9 are specifically for the unmarried.

1 Corinthians 7:7-9 “But I wish everyone were single, just as I am.  Yet each person has a special gift from God, of one kind or another.  So I say to those who aren’t married and to widows - it’s better to stay unmarried, just as I am.  But if they can’t control themselves, then they should go ahead and marry.  It’s better to marry than to burn with lust.”

Why would Paul want everyone to be single?  Why would he say it is better to stay unmarried?  Paul saw something in singleness that others weren’t seeing.  He saw what we often don’t even see today.  He saw singleness as a gift.  He knew there was a purpose in single life.  He knew that as a single person, he had more time to devote to ministry, without the distractions and responsibilities that marriage and family bring.  

Paul wasn’t just saying he wanted them to be single.  He was saying he wanted them to be intentional with their time and devoted to ministry as he was.  It is completely possible, and maybe even probable, that singles then, like today, were more focused on their own selfish desires, than truly using the gift of singleness God has given them.

Paul was not criticizing marriage though.  He was simply pointing out that we, as singles, can be used to accomplish God’s plan and perfect will.  We need to be focused more on that than finding a mate.  Some would be better off just getting married because the lust or desire of finding a husband or wife is more of a distraction than marriage itself.  However, he was not saying to go out and marry whoever either.  He was referring to those who were already engaged, but not yet married at that time.

God has a plan for you, whether you are single or married.  He can always use you right where you are.  Keep your focus on Him, and live your life to honor and glorify Him.  

Don’t be discouraged!  Don’t spend your life waiting for a husband.  Live your life now!  If God has a husband planned for you, it will happen regardless of what you are doing!  He will bring you the happiness you desire, in his perfect timing!  God wants great things for you!

I think there is so much that God has planned for us and can do with us while we are single, so let's open our hands and our hearts and let Him give and take from us as He sees fit, and let Him use us now, right where we are.

Know that even as I am writing this, I am struggling.  It is easy to say these words, but hard to live it out.  I pray that this will both be an encouragement to you, but also help me to be intentional and live out what God has placed on my heart.

My intention is for The Single Life to be a series of posts, as I do think there is so much to it, and so much that nobody talks about. I want to talk about it! What would be an encouragement to you? What are you looking for as a single person right now? What would you like to read about or hear about from me?

If you are reading this, thank you. I love you. God loves you!

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”