We have been considering the single life.  In the New Covenant that Jesus ushered in, it is good to be single.  Yes, there are challenges to be overcome, but there are real benefits too.  Yet as we consider singleness, it is good to remember that life is not ultimately about being single or married.  Life is about serving the King and seeking to advance his kingdom.

In Matthew 19:10-12, Jesus says that some people remain single for the kingdom of God.  Have you ever considered that possibility?  There are places singles can go and things singles can do that married people simply can’t.  Perhaps God would call you to go to a place that would be too dangerous to bring a family, but you could go alone.  Or perhaps God would call you to a place where the logistics of bring a family would be impossible, but you could go alone.

Think of Paul.  He traveled all over the Roman Empire preaching the gospel.  As he travelled he was beaten, whipped, stoned, imprisoned, and thrown out of town.  Now imagine Paul married.  Would he have taken the risks he did knowing he was responsible to provide for a family?  Could he have financially afforded to travel all over the Empire with a family?  And just imagine him on the road with a three year old on his sore back (from the many lashes) and his five year old walking next to him hand in hand.  “Dad, my legs are sore.  Are we there yet?”  Meanwhile his wife a few paces behind with the baby calls out, “Paul, we need to stop to feed the baby.”  Paul simply could not have accomplished all of God’s purpose for him if he had married.

Or consider Charles Wesley.  As a single adult he travelled all over England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland preaching the gospel.  In his 40s he married.  For a few years he tried to keep up his travels with wife and eventually child in tow, but it proved too difficult.  So he settled down to carry out the ministry in one area.  He simply could not do as a married man what he could do as a single adult.  Both stages of his ministry were important, but the point here is that some things are better done as a single person.

So the question is, what is God calling you to do?  What purpose does he have for you in advancing his kingdom?  You may be able to do it better as a single person.  Then again, perhaps you can do it better as a married person.  Either way, the focus must be on the kingdom.  Singleness or marriage are secondary. 

This is especially important for single people to hear.  Too often, singleness is viewed as simply a time to seek a spouse.  I’m suggesting that you invest your singleness in something much greater – God’s kingdom.  If you find a spouse along the way and marriage fits with God’s plan for you – fine.  If not, keep serving.  The focus of the single life should not be searching for a spouse, but serving the King.  God’s purpose for you is much greater than the possibility of marriage.

Oh, that singles would approach their singleness as an opportunity to serve the Lord!  Oh that married people would use their marriages as opportunities to serve the Lord!  Oh that together we would seek first the kingdom of God!