bgr

i think culture places too much emphasis on boy-girl relationships. you're brought up thinking that the only right path through life is to date, marry, have kids, then grandkids. you see it in the movies, you hear it in the songs we listen to, and then there's everyone around us (ie. parents, especially moms, and friends) who pressurize (maybe a better word to use would be 'encourage') you to live like everyone else. and i guess in a way it is the norm, since strictly speaking on numbers the majority of the population do get married. anyone else who doesn't fit into the mold is seen as strange. or rather ppl say "Why is he or she still unmarried?" as if to allude to some innate defect in that person. i hate it. its wrong. and i love how the Bible (as always) is an upside-down reversal of countering the 'normal' ways of thinking.

"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. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world - how he can please his wife - and his interests are divided. 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. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world - how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord." 1Cor7:32-35 (NIV)

wow, what a privilege to be single no? it's not to say marriage is wrong. it is a very lovely thing - seeing a man and a woman come together before God to become one. at the same time its not the pinnacle of yearning and hopefulness we ought to look forward to. as a woman, i often find myself yearning to fulfill that path in life of dating, marriage, kids etc.. but i take a step back and have to stop myself. I would in a blink of an eye give up all hopes of family & relationship in the future if it meant seeing many come to Christ. Then again i find myself faltering at times, and feel my words become empty as my heart seeks for something else. I do yearn to live solely-devoted & single-mindedly for the Kingdom. and just as a friend said, if a guy comes along who has that same passion, then maybe we can run side-by-side for the Kingdom. but while I am single, there's just so much work to be done, and perhaps by His grace He will keep me single for long.