On Saturday night I sat and discussed singledom with a 30something who was attractive, articulate, and athletic. He openly shared with comic relief the pity he receives from married folk who treat him as a diseased member of society; as if something was wrong with him because his left ring finger is empty. On Sunday night, a friend in our small group bible study moderated the conversation and discussed similar sentiment. Both want significant relationships. Both recognize that the time is not now. But do they walk around with an emotional limp or romantic leprosy? Or do they walk into a community, share desires, edify each other in individual stations in life, and actively wait for God’s perfect timing?
My theological presupposition is that God is triune (I believe in the trinity [see Westminster Confession of Faith, 1646])). Before anything was anything, there existed God the father, God the son, and God the holy spirit (confusing right? Don’t worry, theologians have been working through this for years!). There was never aloneness in the nature of God and since we are made in His image, we are created to long for relationships. Here’s a simple chart:
One = Aloneness
Two = Relationship and Intimacy
Three = Community and Fellowship
When God said it was not good for man to be alone, we can infer He was taking a “divine pause” in His creation process to state that it was never intended for people to do life alone. God himself exists in a community and relationship; man, who is made in His image, is suppose to do the same.
So what happens if we are alone? Do we exist and live in this world as the walking wounded? I hate to be the Negative Nancy right now, but I got to keep it real. The truth of the matter is that not everyone is going to be married, some are going to get divorced, and others are going to be widowed. Does that mean their life, as in the words of God, is not good? Absolutely not. Being desirous of relationship is normal and God-given. My issue is that people [read: women] tend to find themselves as the social leper who must scream, “Single! Single!” as they walk through the marketplace. In all of this discussion I want people to understand that 1. aloneness is not good, 2. we weren’t intended to do life alone, 3. God finds value in you in whatever station you are in because He cares for you.
If you’re single, please remove the sackcloth and ashes! Start enjoying the season you’re in and believe that God knows it’s not good for man to be alone. Revel in this season and make your time count. Find a community of support and stop trying to do Life alone.
If you’re married, adopt a single person! Start a community of support! Remember what YOU’RE Friday nights looked like as a single! Yes, yes, Jesus left us a comforter and all that jazz, but really, the Holy Spirit doesn’t make warm food for me and welcome me in to watch the Lakers game! Do something good: adopt a single.
I have to express appreciation to this writer just for rescuing me from such a problem. Because of checking through the internet and seeing strategies which were not productive, I believed my entire life was done. Being alive devoid of the answers to the difficulties you’ve solved through your short post is a crucial case, and those that might have adversely damaged my entire career if I had not encountered your blog post. Your own personal mastery and kindness in playing with all the stuff was tremendous. I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t come upon such a thing like this. It’s possible to at this point relish my future. Thanks for your time so much for the impressive and result oriented guide. I won’t think twice to refer the sites to any individual who should receive guidance about this subject matter.