Many singles want to marry and start a family. However, some of them stay single for a long time because they are tightly bound. It’s time to break those chains!
Singles can be chained in all sorts of ways. The great thing about being a child of God is that we can free ourselves from these chains. Isaiah 52.2 is a good example: “Shake yourself from the dust! Arise, sit up, Jerusalem! Release yourself from the bonds of your neck, captive daughter of Zion!” (WEB) In this verse, it doesn’t say that “God will release the bonds”, but that it is up to Jerusalem to free herself. A motivational message that applies very well to certain singles, chained by these three precise links.
1. Lack of time (or do not want to take the time!)
By looking at the schedule of some people we easily find their problem. “I have a very demanding job, so when I go home, I’m exhausted and I do not go out. On Saturday I do my housework and spend the rest of the day catching up with the programs I missed or reading a good book. And on Sunday, I go to church and I prepare my meals of the week or I will eat with my parents.”
As with any goal we want to achieve, we need to invest time. This is certainly not a surprise to anyone. If we are serious in our desire to meet someone, we must get out of our routine and do activities that will allow us to meet people. The evening you dedicate to developing friendships will then turn into your romantic evening with your partner, and then into your couple’s evening with your spouse. Being a couple requires a sacrifice of our time, and this sacrifice begins long before we meet the special person.
The same goes for all our objectives. If you want to get into shape, you will have to sacrifice a few hours a week to go to the gym. If you want to fulfill God’s plan in your life, you will have to sacrifice a few hours a week to seek His face and accomplish the tasks He entrusts to you. “He said to another, “Follow me!” But he said, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead, but you go and announce God’s Kingdom.” (Luke 9: 59-60 WEB)
How many opportunities do we miss because we do not want to sacrifice our time?
2. Pride (or shyness)
Here is another very common case. A single person complains to their pastors: “There is no social activity for the singles, a time when we could meet and discuss. A few weeks later, the pastors organize a potluck for unmarried members of the church. The singles then give the pastor an excuse: “Oh no, I will not go there, everyone will know that I am single, and everyone will want to talk to me!” Huh?!
This state bears a name: it is pride. Wanting to get married is a legitimate desire, but there is no shame in being single. If you worry about what people are going to say, if you want to preserve a false image of a perfect person who is in control of everything in their life, it shows that you are contaminated by pride. If this can calm your mind, say that you are going to the activities just to please the organizers. Because yes, they will be very happy to see you there. But do not give in to the temptations of pride. After all, it was this sin that drove Lucifer out of the Presence of God!
How many opportunities do we miss because we do not want to lose face?
3. Laziness (and egocentrism)
This last point is generally related to the first point. It seems to become more and more important as we age. We talked about it quickly in another article (https://www.passion374.com/en/2016/05/06/the-danger-of-being-single/). Going out to meet other singles asks us to leave our comfort zone. Participating in various activities, getting involved in our church, serving others, asks time and effort of us. There are sacrifices to be made, and unfortunately, many singles are still alone because they “don’t feel like” making that effort. It is a chain that also prevents many Christians from entering their calling, from being where God would bless them.
How many opportunities do we miss because we do not want to sacrifice comfort?
These three chains link many bachelors in their quest to find “the one”, but they also prevent Christians from entering the calling that God has put on their lives. The good news? These chains are not impossible to break. All the children of God have the power to get rid of them. “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4.13 WEB) So don’t wait, release yourself!