140 - Singleness

'The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord.' (1 Corinthians 7:32)

 'Only let each person lead the life3 lthat the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.' (1 Corinthians 7:17)

I kind of wanted to write this on Valentine's Day, half-jokingly, half-seriously. But I ran out of time, either way. 

I have to be careful about how I write this post, because it could come across as sounding like someone who tries to pretend that they are single and they don't care that they are. Not gonna lie. I would like to marry. Someday. If God wills. 

But I'm also going to remember singleness is also a gift from God. 

Sometimes, it feels like the church (in general) place too much emphasis on marriage, making the singles feel like they are failures for not being married. 

Now obviously marriage is a God designed ordinance, a symbol of our relationship with Christ. 

But singleness...

It can be a time either when a person can completely focus on themselves and their desires because they have no family to care for. 

Or it can be a time when they realise the church is their family, and they can turn their gaze outwards and start looking for ways to care for them instead. 

The Bible makes it clear that without a family of their own to look after, single people are freed up to serve God - sometimes in ways that married people cannot.

They can serve in kid's work or refreshments or in some other way on a Sunday.

They can invite people over for dinner.

They could volunteer for charities, travel to different countries.

Their lives are not failures because they are not married.

God uses everyone, in different ways.

And He is all the love we ever need.

Thank you God for singleness. May I - and other single Christians - learn how to use this time (or this life) for your glory.

139 - Showers

'...Go wash...' (2 Kings 5:10) 

I really need to stop neglecting this blog for so many days!

Couldn't resist using the top verse (from the story of Naaman).

There's something so relaxing and enjoyable about having a shower.

In the winter, it's the warmest place of the house most of the time, which makes turning it off all the harder. (Don't tell my Dad this, he probably thinks I spend too long in there anyway ;) )

In the summer, it can be cool and refreshing.

When your hair's been a bit greasy and gross, the feeling of clean hair is great.

And sometimes it's nice to just feel the water run through your hair and let your thoughts drift where they may. Why do so many people sing in the shower? Probably because they feel relaxed.

Thank you God for electricity. Thank you for running water.

Thank you for showers.