Marriage and singleness both offer rich insights for the people of God. And while some of us are called to the vocation of marriage, others are called to seasons or a lifetime of singleness. Either way, we have much to learn from each other and should not look down on or envy others in a different relational state.
For its part, marriage provides a living illustration of two becoming one. On a broad level, we need both masculinity and femininity to get a clearer picture of God’s divine nature and to accomplish the work he has given us to do – bringing more life and goodness into the world. While marriage is an example of this, this work is not limited just to those who are married. We must all learn the wisdom of two being better than one to fulfill all God has given us to do.
And, for its part, singleness reminds us of our unique and personal mission in advancing God’s kingdom. There’s a singular work that is ours alone to do. And we’ve abdicated our responsibility when we allow the cares of this world to keep us distracted. Of course, those who are relationally single are in a better position to live this out in the daily realities of life. But marital obligations don’t eliminate the personal work God has still given us to do.
As a vocation, we live faithfully in whatever relational state we find ourselves in. While typically we desire and choose to be married, this is not always the case with singleness. Many who are single did not actively choose to be so. But, either way, both marriage and singleness has an honored place for the people of God when lived out faithfully.
We’re prone to miss the richness of relational commitments and our personal responsibility when we idolize one relational state over the other.
In the end, whether married or single, use your relational vocation to reflect God’s goodness and bring more life and light into the world.
Photo by Austin Blanchard on Unsplash
