"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres" 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV).
I'm sure we've all heard this verse at one time or another, but I'm bringing it up again. I'm a sophomore in college who has never had a boyfriend. Yes, I've been on dates and have meet a few guys who I could see a potential with, but in the end it just didn't work out.
You may be wondering why I'm telling you this, and it's because I want to tell you the Biblical truth of what it means to be single. I'm not writing this to comfort you; I'm writing this to awaken you.
There is a season for everything in our lives (Ecc. 3), and when we happen to be in a season of singleness, God uses that in amazing ways.
"I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs-- how he can please the Lord" 1 Corinthians 7:32 (NIV).
The truth is that when we are single we get to devote all of our attention, time and energy into seeking the Lord. Speaking from personal experience, I can honestly say I don't regret being single. Over the years, I have been able to learn about myself and God. I now know who I am in Christ and what His purpose is for me. I know who God is and what His character is like; He is so good, kind, loving, peaceful, just and forgiving.
Being single gives us an opportunity to seek God without distractions. I am not saying that dating or being in a relationship is bad in any way, but being single is a blessing from the Lord to be able to seek Him and get to know who we are as individuals through Him.
Think of it this way, when we get to know God and ourselves, we have the ability to love others more because we know the love that started it all.
Once we know that, it becomes easier to respect and love others more. God created and honors marriage, which is the point of dating, and when an individual is confident in who they are in Christ, the two can come together in a stronger unity because they are firm in their identity.
Being single is perfectly okay and I want to remind you that God is good. I challenge you that when you're in a season of being single that you wouldn't think of it as a bad thing, but rather that you would thank God for this opportunity to seek Him with all of your heart.
