It may not be as bad as you think
Submitted by Cat Daddy on October 14 2001 03:53:11
In reply to things get more complicated submitted by kiowas on October 13 2001 16:03:57
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I am the youngest of four kids and am the only one who never married. I grew up in a Christian home (my dad was a minister). Whenever my mom, before she died, would hint around at my getting married and giving her some grandkids, I would just explain that it wasn't a matter of finding a woman I could live my life with, it was that I hadn't found the woman that I couldn't live without. Later, I developed the philosophy that we are all here for the purpose of ministry. God has gifted each of us with interests and abilities that uniquely enable us to minister in the area of our interest. If being married would enhance that ministry, then we should be married. If not, then we shouldn't be married. I had two very good friends in college who both worked on the same church staff. One worked with junior high kids, while the other worked with college kids. When the jr. high worker got married, his wife didn't share his ministry vision and his effectiveness with the jr. high ministry diminished. However, when the college worker married, his wife complemented his ministry to such a degree that it really took off. Paul talked about that in I Corintians 7 when he said, "If you are not married, don't seek to be. But if you have, then you have not sinned." He talks about some other related issues in that chapter and explains that if we are married, then we can't be as focused on ministry, but will need to take care of the needs of our family (which is quite a ministry in and of itself). I have used this explanation many times over the years to explain my singleness. I actually enjoy being single and don't see myself getting married. I just tell those who wonder that for right now being married would not enhance the ministry I have. I have yet to meet anyone who didn't find this explanation satisfactory. It makes sense to me anyway. Good luck! |
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