Single Not Separate

So, it's Valentines Day, and you are again facing it without a 'valentine'. My husband chose to talk on this subject the day before Valentines because so many get discouraged or depressed because they don't have a 'significant other' to share it with. Our culture has made us feel like we 'need' someone, and that we are defined by whether or not we are in a relationship, but this is certainly not the case!
I Corinthians 7:23 says 'God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world.' Look at just how much you mean to Him! He loved you so much that He gave his only begotten son for you (John 3:16)! So whether you are single or in a relationship, remember that God paid a high price for you!
If you are single, here are some things to think about:

Singleness doesn't separate us from our culture  (I Corinthians 7:7 Singleness is a gift! )

Even though today's culture tries to define us by our relationship status, singleness doesn't mean that we are outcasts in society! An even deeper truth is that God can use us (perhaps even more) when we are single that when we are married (I Corinthians 7:32-35).
It's no accident that you are single, for God has given you this time of singleness for a greater purpose than you or I could ever imagine (Esther 4:14)! Instead of being down and depressed, celebrate that God has given you a time in your life that you are not 'tied down' and able to go and do things for God more freely. As my husband put so eloquently: 'We need to be looking for and expecting God's plan for our life'. Of course, that applies to those of us who are married too!
God blessed me during my time of singleness in allowing me to go and serve in Thailand. When I went, I told myself that I wanted to use my single years wisely. Once I got over there though, I was scared that by being there, I was closing myself off to relationships. I was even told by a preacher that I should get used to the fact that I would probably stay single for the rest of my life. This brings me to the next part of the post:

Singleness doesn't separate us from receiving any blessings

I had made relationships an idol. In a previous post we talked about how that we have to put Jesus first before anyone we have a relationship with, and you know, this can include someone we're dreaming of having a relationship with! Both my husband and I had made having a relationship with someone a priority and when we decided to give that up to God and surrender that up to him,God put us together! This doesn't mean that if you surrender that up to God, immediately He will give you a boyfriend/girlfriend, but what I am saying is that life isn't all about relationships with a boyfriend/girlfriend and it won't solve all of your problems.
So many times we tell ourselves 'If I could just be in a relationship, my loneliness, sexual temptations, etc will get solved', but that just isn't the case. (I Corinthians 7:28)
Our focus needs to be on Christ; being in a relationship with someone shouldn't be our ultimate goal in life, but being in a closer relationship with Christ, and sharing Him with others should be.

Singleness doesn't separate us from ever having a relationship

If you are single now, it doesn't mean you will always be. Even though Paul was called to a life of singleness (and there are others who are called as well), doesn't mean that it will be that way for everyone! Marriage was God's idea in the first place. Neither having a relationship, or not having one are sins, but both of these things can be if we allow our focus to be on something or someone else besides Christ.

Matthew 6:33
Sorry this post is so long, but I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have writing it!