One of the reasons I would like to be married is that I love what marriage symbolizes: the relationship between Jesus and the Church. To work with another person at representing this relationship seems like a privilege and a joy. It is easy for me to grasp the value and importance of marriage. However, I’m not married today. Today, I am a single woman and I wonder, what's the value in being single? Are there any big truths about God that my life can demonstrate?
Yes, actually, and that leads me to the topic of the final post in this series: why God values singleness and subsequently, why we should, too. In my last post, I wrote about singleness as a tool for our sanctification and for building the church, and those purposes certainly add value to singleness. I also believe God values singleness because, like marriage, it has the potential to uniquely display significant truths about Him. Here are four examples:
1. Singleness demonstrates that relationship with God is the most satisfying relationship of all. I see this lived out in my circle of single friends. They are feasting with God regularly and finding that he supplies all they need. They do not see themselves as incomplete until they find spouses but rather, are rejoicing in how wholly satisfying God is.
2. Singleness demonstrates that God grows his kingdom not through physical birth but through spiritual rebirth. Under the Old Covenant, God's people increased in number as women bore children and families grew. We are now living under a New Covenant in which His kingdom no longer multiplies through childbearing but through spiritual rebirth and the adoption of sons and daughters from many different families. People who have never borne children can still participate in adding people to God’s family.
3. Singleness reminds us that Jesus is waiting for his wedding day. More than you or I long to wear a pretty white dress, He longs to meet his Bride at the altar. Singleness is an opportunity to grow in our longing for that eternal Wedding Day while we hope for an earthly one.
4. Singleness highlights the fact that marriage on earth is temporal and in heaven, the only covenant that remains is the one we have with Jesus. Whether you are single or married on earth, neither will last forever. They are temporary states intended to prepare us for our eternal Groom, Jesus. And when we are joined with him, that will be forever.
Going green!
Lynn
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