Life as a Single Christian

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.

1 Corinthians 7:32-35

Life as a single Christian can often seem lonely and frustrating; waiting on God’s timing can get tiresome very quickly when you’ve been waiting your entire life. But while the single life is certainly not easy, it is rewarding. Paul was single and devoted his life to serving God. We can look to his life as an exmple of how we should live ours while we are single. Many Christians treat their singleness like a disease that they need to get rid of as soon as possible. Those people, though, have probably never considered the idea that where they are in life is right where they should be. God has placed you in this stage of life for a reason. The time you spend single is just as important as the time you will one day spend with your significant other. You are meant to do so much more than wait for the day when you finally meet the right one. So as a single Christian, what could life possibly hold?

First of all, take advantage of the extra time you have and use it to grow in your Christian walk. One of the greatest perks of being single is being able to devote all of your attention to God. That way, when the time comes for you to love another person, you will be able to love them with all of the grace and compassion of Christ. You will be able to center your relationship on Him rather than on the things of this world. Next time you complain about your ‘bad luck’ with dating, ask yourself: are you really ready for a relationship? Are you striving toward your full potential as an individual, or are you just wasting time in hopes that someone else will come complete you?

It’s also important to enjoy your freedom as a single Christian. While dating and marriage are wonderful and beautiful things, they do place limits on what you’re able to do with your time. All commitments require sacrifice; so before you jump into one, make sure that you’ve done all you want to do as a single first. Serve God, travel the world, and pursue your interests. Focus on your education if that’s what you need to do. When you have your own dreams and ambitions and work toward them, it becomes easier to treat your singlehood like the small matter it is.

Too many Christian singles like to take matters into their own hands and chase after love with all that they have. They almost always wind up empty-handed or in a relationship that is not God-honoring. Of course, there is a time to pursue romance and to initiate your search for love. But ultimately, it’s all up to God. Seek Him first, and He will make your path clear. As a single Christian, don’t be discouraged. Your identity does not come from the fact that you’re single; your identity comes from the fact that you are a child of God. Even when you feel alone, He is always with you.