For many singles who want to be married one day, the world they live in can sometimes feel as though it's made for couples. Two-for-one ticket offers and romantic dinners for two versus full-priced tickets for single buyers and microwave meals for one make it seem as though singletons are sometimes being punished for not having a partner, and as though singledom should be more accurately called single-doom.
Marriage on the other hand is often associated with happiness, wholeness and betterness - newlyweds are referred to as "the happy couple" and they speak of one another as their "better half", suggesting that they've been completed and improved by their husband or wife. But where does this leave singletons? Are they automatically unhappy? Are they incomplete and inferior? Of course not, but with so much positive rhetoric around marriage being reaffirmed daily, it can be difficult for singles to remain upbeat about their relationship status. But there are many wonderful things about being single in both a practical and spiritual sense.
Here are three spiritual benefits of being a single Christian
Freedom from concern
"I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs—how he can please the Lord." (1 Corinthians 7:32)
Many of us, single or married, will consult others before making a life-altering decision but for those who are married their spouse's opinion is one which carries great weight and needs to be carefully considered. Single Christians have the freedom to be more flexible about the choices they make. If a single person feels called to move to the other side of the world and volunteer in a spiritual capacity, they don't have to be as concerned about the effect this will have on another person. And Paul connects this to the freedom to do what the Lord needs them to do. Instead of being focused on pleasing another person, they are free to focus on doing what pleases God.
Dedication to devotion
"An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit." (1 Corinthians 7:34)
To endeavour to be unreservedly devoted to God doesn't come without its challenges but for singles, this is something that they can dedicate themselves to. Because singles are unaffected by the increased responsibilities that come with marriage, they can commit themselves to the Lord and the tasks he calls them to without the hesitation and possible guilt that can factor into the decision process of married Christians.
Fewer distractions
"But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided." (1 Corinthians 7:33-34)
This is connected to the first verse shared above. Being single doesn't mean that you are entirely free from distractions but it does mean that you have the opportunity to set aside more time to focus on your relationship with God. Moments of solitude are rarer for couples but singles will more often experience these. These periods of aloneness shouldn't be viewed in a negative way. Being alone for regular periods will enable you to invite stillness into your schedule and spend more time strengthening your individual relationship with God.
