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

I talk to a lot of Singles in the Church, being part of the group myself, and there is always a debate on how the Church should minster to us. Minister to us directly and we feel like the Church is setting up a speed dating event; minister to the church as a whole focusing on families and we feel like we are “lesser” Christians because we aren’t married yet or have a family. Often times I feel the Church is in a no win situation when trying to minister to the singles they have been granted the task to shepherd and oversee. This isn’t a post on how the Church should minister to us, perhaps that one is coming, today I want to look at our role in the Church as a Single.

Looking at Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, we see a very familiar passage and one that most Singles know and have probably heard taught before, but what has recently caught my eye is the reason Paul is writing this section. He says in verse 32 he says, “I want you to be free of anxieties,” this is the purpose he begins this section on those who are single and those who are married and the benefits of being single. Lets be honest Singles, we aren’t always free of anxieties, we worry if this or that girl likes us, we worry about will this guy ever ask me out, will we every be married, how come I’m not married, God why do I have an urge to be married but I’m still single, etc. We worry about a lot of things, and these things can very easily become idols in our lives which in the end become unhealthy longings and desires in our lives. But Paul’s point here is as a single, we can be free of anxieties because we have the ability to focus fully on the things of the Lord. Where as the married couples focus is divided between the Lord and each other, Paul says hey you Singles, you have the unique opportunity to focus fully on the Lord and be about the things of Him.

Singles, we have a purpose in the Church, and the unique opportunity for a season of our lives to be fully focused on the things of the Lord, lets not waste this season. As Singles, I truly believe we ought to be at the forefront of service within the Church. I talk to too many Singles who aren’t sure if they have a place in the Church. What is your special gifting from the Lord? Use them! If it is teaching, look for opportunities to teach, it may not be from the main stage, it may be to a group of 3rd graders, but praise the Lord for the opportunity to teach His Word; maybe your gifting is hospitality, then look for those opportunities; if your gifting is prayer look for those opportunities to be a prayer warrior in the lives of people and in the lives of your churches staff; etc. Perhaps in this season the Lord has blessed you with a job that allows you to have disposable income, then you have the opportunity to support missions, ministries, and church plants.  Or use your free time to serve the greater Church, so go and do missions, maybe in your hometown, or the other side of the world,  while living your daily life on mission by looking for those opportunities to be the hands and feet of the Lord.

Singles, we have plenty to opportunities to look at ourselves and question what is going on, and why am I still single, but at the same time we have been blessed with a season to pour ourselves out undivided, for the things of the Lord. Too often we focus on what is the Church doing for us, instead of looking how can I use my unique gifts, talents and season of my life to serve the Lord and His Church. Paul’s argument is that singleness should bring us less anxieties, for we are able to focus on the Lord. When I find myself stressed over singleness it is often because I am looking at myself and not the Lord and how I can love and serve Him in this season of my life.

Your money your singleness marriage talent your time
They were loaned to you to show the world that Christ is Divine

~ Lecrae