I LOVE this topic and very here for it.

I think the topic of singleness is very important because I think in culture at large and even Christian culture we really emphasize the glory of marriage and being in a relationship and hold it up almost as a virtue if you will. It’s something we see as a level-up or something we graduate to, even thinking sometimes (I AM GUILTY) that the season of singleness Is a punishment or lesson from God and until I learn the lesson I will be single.

But singleness is not a punishment, it’s not a level down and it’s not a less-than status.

 Now I really disliked when people in happy relationships would tell me to be content in my singleness ESPECIALLY those who had hardly ever been single. So, I get that maybe a newly married woman talking about singleness could cause an eye roll forSURE but FRIENDS. I’m going to talk from my own perspective and scripture’s perspective, and we’re going to get REAL

Because let’s be honest! For the majority of my the years and years of my single life (specifically once people started getting into relationships) I was EAGER for a relationship. I think I can count on 1 hand the amount of seasons in my single life where I was content and only ONE or TWO sticks out to me as a season of PURE CONTENTMENT AND JOY where I actually wanted to be single. Singleness is HARD. It’s hard because we’re so encouraged to desire above almost all things a relationships. It’s hard because relationships are so pushed and promoted all around us. And it’s hard because it is a natural desire and even Biblical desire.

But while marriage is praised in scripture — unlike in culture, singleness in scripture is also praised.

In 1 Corinthians 7, the writer says this: Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.

He also says this: Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

And this: To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

And this: I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

Now, if that isn’t a Biblical recommendation for singleness I don’t know what is!

And I’m not hear to say that therefore everyone should be happy in singleness – I was not. But I will say that while you are single, listen to these words. Not as a scary thought that you might be single forever but as a way to live right now.

Because we promote relationships so highly, it is super common to feel like we need to just sit and sulk in singleness, but friend, that’s the OPPOSITE of what we’re called to do! And I so so thankfully can say that although I was not as content as I should have been, I did LIVE OUT my single years well and unto the Lord, and I beyond highly recommend everyone does that.

There is PURPOSE in this season or life.

The writer actually calls both marriage and singleness a gift saying, “but each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another”

He also says that he would prefer people to stay single. Now, if everyone did we wouldn’t have a human race, but the charge is interesting because he is so content and fulfilled in the way he is living out his life for Christ as a single person that he actually recommends it.

The writer says that single people can have more of undivided attention to the Lord. That’s HUGE.

HOW can we not see singleness as a GIFT with all of this said about it.

And so while you are in a time of singleness, LIVE IT OUT WELL. know that Biblically – by the Creator’s standards – singleness is not a season to level up from, it’s a time when you can devote yourself to God and the things of God in ways that married people may not be able to.

It’s a time when you can choose to walk in the ways God has called you to no matter how reckless WITHOUT having to consult a spouse or consider children.

Some of my favorite things I did in singleness were these:
• Leading a girls’ Bible study (something I still do! Yay!)
• Going on a missions’ trip
• Traveling to other countries and states
• Devoting more time to friends and those who need a friend
• Starting She Lives Purposefully !!!
• LIVE LIFE FREELY IN CHRIST

My last charge to use is this, Don’t fall into the “freedom” trap. Singleness is best lived when it’s lived unabandoned towards Christ. Don’t fall into the trap that you’re free to do whatever YOU want because it won’t affect your future. Who you party with, hook up with, choices you make that are in sin because you are single and can do it HAVE CONSEQUENCES. There really is only one freedom but often we’re tricked into thinking that sin is freedom when it really binds us down and has consequences down the road. Use your singleness to make an impact, use it for the Lord, live it so it has eternal impact.