Raise your hand if you're single and don't want to be? Well, the line forms behind me. Singleness has been an ongoing battle of mine. Wishing, waiting, hoping, praying for God to bring a guy into my life, preferably sooner than later. If you're like me, maybe you have even wondered at times if God has anyone for you at all. While I would love to tell you that He does and it's only a matter of time, I know that won't help your aching heart today. So instead, I would love to offer you a fresh perspective on your current relationship status.
We've all heard that singleness is a gift. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 7 that being single is actually better than being married. From personal experience, I can say singleness does not seem like the better option. BUT, God has been teaching me some things about this current season... and I can truly say it is a gift.
Being single opens up a world of opportunities that married people, or even people in dating relationships, do not have. You don't have the responsibility of thinking how your choices may
affect someone else. I mean, you do because we are Christians and should always be thinking about how our actions affect others. What I am saying is that you don't have to think about being home to make dinner for your spouse or how if you make Friday night plans with friends your significant other will be left to fend for themselves. There is so much more freedom that comes from not being in a relationship. And with that freedom comes a lot of time you can devote to doing Kingdom work.
Those of us that are single are called to not waste it; we are called to use our gift as a means to further God's Kingdom and be fully committed to our relationship with Him. This means using our time to read and study His Word, to serve in a local church, to do missional work, to join a Bible Study. These are all things that married people can and should do, but the point I am trying to make here is that we as single people have more time and less distractions that enables us to fully dive into our callings. As a single person, you can be entirely focused on God without having to split your attention.
Making your singleness count isn't about doing whatever you want because you are unattached. Making your singleness count is all about being fully devoted to Christ and using your time, money, and energy to pursue Him with your whole heart.
The gift of singleness is not like most gifts you want and are excited to receive. This gift is unique in that as you peel back the wrapping paper and catch glimpses of what's inside you are unsure about it. But once you have it fully unwrapped and can see it from all sides, you understand that even though you never wanted it, it was exactly what you needed. Because God knows exactly what you need (Matthew 6:8) and He only gives good gifts to those He loves (James 1:17).
My heart is that this encourages you to lean into your season of singleness. Do not let is pass you by. God has you here for a reason and it is a gift if you use the time well. Make your singleness count.
"I say this as a concession, not as a command. I wish that all of you were as I
am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that."
1 Corinthians 7:6 (NIV)