Living Single

1 Timothy 6:6 (KJV)

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Excitedly she said to me, “I will like to marry a Nigerian, I love Africans!” Weeks after weeks, I kept praying about this solemn request of an American woman with 3 children who made a safe run from a man who was prepared to send her to an early grave. When God gave the first word concerning her situation, I looked for her and she was no longer there. Why? She stopped attending church because her need of being matched to a particular type of man was taking longer than she planned. Needless to say her life is self-ordered, not God-directed. Whitney Houston’s song, “I look to you”, mirrors the sound for what should be coming from the lips of every Believer who is living single.

When answers do not come to the age-old question of “Why am I not married?” we begin a cycle of frustration that has seen many getting married to ungodly mates. At the end of the day, neither marriage nor singleness would endure (1 Peter 1:25). Anger, resentment, depression, repression, anguish are feelings we go through as we place a demand on God for a mate. “Dear God, if you don’t do it by next year, forget about my worship!” Yet His Word declares, for he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust (Ps 103:14). Instead of holding on to the One who offers us unconditional love, we place a selfish demand for a tainted human love. We get it, and then begin crying to God to save us from wicked husbands and wives. 

We exchange voluntary love for involuntary love. To make things appear normal, we clothe the mate we seek or the one we have found in mystical or mythical garb forgetting that love, even in marriage, is based on the choices two individuals with different personalities make. Contentment is a conscious choice to accept, appreciate, enjoy and make the best use of what you have. You should be content living single knowing that God knows your innermost desires and would bless you with the things you need in due season. This is why Paul could say, I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content (Philippians 4:11).

Take Home Lesson: If you are not content living single only with God, how will you be content living with His son or daughter?

Homework: Ask yourself, ‘Is God sufficient for my singleness?’ Thank God for being more than enough.

Omolola Omoteso is a minister who is passionate about sharing God's words for the healing of others. She is the host of Divine Connection and Chair for DC HOMES, an annual gathering for singles.  

This article was first published in eTeachit, a daily devotional.