Being single has become one of the most ambiguous and confusing conversations happening within the body of Christ. Webster’s dictionary defines single as an individual who is unmarried. The discussion particularly surrounds the environment of singleness. Is it a waiting room or a path? Is my singleness in my hands or God’s?
In 1 Corinthians chapter 7, Paul is addressing the concern of marriage in which he is expressing the reality of being single or married. “I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife” (1 Corinthians 7: 32-33). We have all experienced these verses concerning relationships and they were maybe even the reason we decided to get out of one. We felt bound, without the freedom to act because of the considerations we had to make for someone else. The truth is that we, individually, have a goal on this earth to be the salt and light of the Earth (Matthew 5:13-16), which is a task that manifests through our gifts and talents that the Lord’s have given everyone. Paul is speaking plainly to the center goal of our existence, disregarding cultures norms or other desires. Being single has been painted as a path different from being married when following Christ. Both going the same direction with different challenges on each path.
Which brings up the next question: does God have a hand in my singleness? Yes, He does. The first thing has to be understood is that our life affects more than just us, but the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken (Psalms 33:10). In order to truly be free to walk in the purpose God has for us while single, you have to release the burden of it being a curse or punishment. The truth is, you can speculate all the reasons you think God hasn’t given you a spouse but you do not truly know because it’s not in your hands. “For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9). As you run this race, the things that you will do in Christ’s name will grow and edify his church. Marriage is one of those things, as it is a covenant so powerful that Jesus uses it to describe his relation to his church. Being a follower of Christ is understanding that God created you with tasks, and He will equip you to do them. Depending on the task, that may mean a spouse or singleness.
I want to change your view of singleness as it’s more than a title but an intended season. God has things He wants you to do so He is equipping you. If marriage is a desire, understand that each person has his own gift from God, one of this kind and one of that (1 Corinthians 7:7).
Keep believing the things you have prayed for because God may have it for you. But don’t neglect the season He has you in, not when He has things for you to do at this moment. Don’t be a waiting single but a working one.
