6 Ways to Celebrate Your Singleness
- Keren Kanyago Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
- Published Jan 10, 2022
What's your idea of a perfect life? Many of us live by a template that instructs us to go to college, get a job, get hitched, sire kids, and live happily ever after. We hold the view that marriage is the apex of life. Singlehood has often been frowned upon as the less desirable way of living, a thorn in the flesh even. Little wonder that we keep poking and prodding the single among us. "Haven't you met anyone yet?" "When is the big day?" "You do realize you are not growing any younger, don't you?" These and a bunch of other unsavory remarks.
God has a great plan for each of us, whether married or single. He wants the single person to celebrate their singlehood as much as He wants the married to thrive. With God, there is no partiality (Romans 2:11).
Before diving into how singles can have a ball in their singleness, let's explore what the Bible says about them.
What Does the Bible Say About Being Single?
Jesus, the greatest man who ever lived and the Savior of the world, was single. And not just Him, the Bible is sprinkled with several other unmarried people who accomplished extraordinary feats for the kingdom. These include the apostle Paul, Mary Magdalene, Jeremiah, Mary and Martha of Bethany, Dorcas, Anna, and John the Baptist. If you are reading this and are single, feel free to add your name to this list because you are awesome.
Here are two powerful truths that the Bible points out about singlehood.
1) Singlehood Is a Gift From God
Yes, you read that right—a gift. While talking to the Corinthian church about marriage, Paul referred to his singlehood as a gift from God. "For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that." (1 Corinthians 7:7.)
Paul relished his single status so much that he wished that all men were like him. Now would God bestow a lousy oppressive gift on His children? Far from it. God only grants fantastic gifts. The Bible records that the blessing of God makes one rich and adds no sorrow with it. (Proverbs 10:22). Are you single? It's time to chin up at the realization that singlehood is indeed a gift from God.
2) Single People Are Exempt From the Cares of the Married
After declaring that singlehood was more desirable to Him, Paul then points out that while the unmarried man cares for the things of the Lord, the married man cares for the things of the world – how he may please his wife. (1 Cor 7:32-33).
Paul is saying it in black and white. Marriage is not all rainbows and unicorns; there are challenges and oodles of responsibilities snuggled in there. Throw kids into the equation, and things can get a little murky. Of course, these are beautiful challenges to face, but still, Paul did not hesitate to remind his hearers that once married, they would have to juggle many balls while those who chose to stay unmarried would be spared from the same.
6 Ways to Celebrate Your Singleness
Having ascertained that singlehood is a gift from God, here are six ways to celebrate your singleness:
1. Foster Your Friendships
You may be single, alright, but you need not languish in loneliness. Enter friends. Good friends are a gold mine. They celebrate your victories and fortify you during dark times. They also offer some much-needed companionship. But that's not all; if you are blessed with good friends, their positive vibes naturally rub off on you. They keep you accountable, making it easy for you to clean up your life, ditch bad habits, and embrace healthy ones.
"He who walks with wise men will be wise." (Proverbs 13:20).
And here's the frosting on the cake where friends are concerned; they double up as powerful stress busters and may also help build your self-esteem. Singlehood is a great place to cultivate your friendships. With clogged to-do lists and a boatload of responsibilities, married people's friendships can sometimes take a beating along the way. There are plenty of fun activities you can take on with your friends. Here are some of them:
Traveling; Picnics; Camping; Biking; Scavenger hunts; Horse riding; Plays/Musicals; Road trips; Ice skating; Bowling.
2. Grab Your Career by the Horns
Let's be honest, furthering your studies while in the throes of parenting can be daunting. However, a single person is likely to ace their studies without batting an eyelid. It's easier to give your career a kick in your singlehood. You generally have fewer obligations and distractions. The cards are neatly stacked in your favor.
So go ahead and whip up some sizzling career goals and tether them to a timeline. Get a second degree if you need to, learn a new skill. Knock yourself out at your workplace and bag that promotion. One day your heart will swell with pride at the realization that you spent your singlehood wisely.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Rawpixle
3. Draw Closer to God
Jesus is the ultimate friend who has promised never to leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Our family, spouses, and friends all fall short. Friendship with Jesus makes all human friendships pale in comparison. "A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24). You can trust Jesus to stick with you even when people pull the plug on you.
Once again, Paul did not mince His words while comparing the married to the singles. He emphasized that the unmarried person's primary focus is how he may please the Lord. This is a stark contrast to the married man who has to please his wife (1 Cor 7:32-33). There is absolutely no doubt that we are all required to please God, but Paul reminds us that it's much easier to do that in singlehood.
4. Revel in Self-Care
Simply put, self-care is the practice of nurturing yourself so that you can live a wholesome life. It encompasses the things you do to tend to your mental, physical, and spiritual health. As such, it should not be the preserve of single people. People from all walks of life could use some self-care.
But the damning truth is that self-care is notoriously elusive to the married, especially those raising young tots. Most of them are burning the candle at both ends without the luxury of time. However, single people can rake in as many self-care practices as possible. Here are some to choose from:
Reading; Journaling; Healthy eating; Working out; Meditating; Taking long baths; Sleeping; Therapy; Walking; Decluttering; Keeping a gratitude list.
5. Get Involved in Ministry
There is excellent fulfillment in serving God's people. Serving helps us emulate the steps of our Savior while discovering our gifts and talents. Jesus remarked that He did not come to be served but to serve. (Mathew 20:28).
Do you love singing? Why not hop into your church's choir and sing away? Do you enjoy teaching? You could volunteer to teach the kids or teens in your church. There are countless opportunities where you can add value. Remember that Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful but the workers few (Mathew 9:37.)
6. Let Your Light Shine
Needless to say, without the "cares of the married" nipping at your heels, singlehood offers the perfect chance for you to do all that your heart longs for. It's the ideal time to chase after your dreams with tenacity. It's a great time to travel and sample an array of cultures, to stop and smell the roses, and to become the best version of you.
Grab every opportunity that God brings your way and wring it dry. Feel free to adopt this Scripture as your life's slogan. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Mathew 5:16).
