Who do you love?

So tomorrow is Valentine's Day. While I know we should be living lives filled with love, it's no secret we occasionally neglect those closest to us, so I think it's great to have a day to remind people just how much they are loved. Of course the day is intended  for couples to celebrate their romantic love, but we single people can participate too! And that is who I would like to personally encourage here. But before you married folk or people currently in blissful relationships quit reading can I remind you of one thing? Not nearly everyone who is single is O.K. with their singleness. Or let us not forget those who are widowed. Just a thought, but, maybe before each of you spend the day publicly displaying your love for your spouse or what gifts they gave you, let's also remember those who have no one to tell them they love them today. I'm not saying it's wrong or right to share about your personal relationship, I'm just suggesting giving a little thought to how a day full of countless people boasting about flowers and gifts through social media might also be a day of reminders to someone out there that seemingly no one cares about them. My challenge to each and every one of us (all 5 of you reading, myself included ;) ) is to maybe at least in all of the sharing tomorrow search out people who could use an extra boost and remind them they are loved too.

I personally have chosen to remain single, for now, and believe according to scripture this is just as wonderful of a choice as marriage. The Bible celebrates love, all kinds of love. Marriage, done as the Bible intends, is a beautiful thing. I want to make it clear that I am in no way against marriage. I just know for me personally it's not for me, at least not right now. I keep coming back to these scriptures for reassurance:

"To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion." 1Corinthians 7:8-9

"Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches." 1Corinthians 7:17

"I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord." 1Corinthians 7:32-35

These verses tell me that God celebrates the single person too! God may actually call some people to be single. So as crazy and difficult as it may seem take this time of singleness as a gift. A gesture from God that He is unwilling to share you right now. God desires so much from you right now that he requests you not be distracted by a spouse. Whether this is for a very short season, or possibly much longer, embrace it, I dare you. God promises to work all things for good. If we are spending our time chasing possible relationships instead of Jesus we are going to miss the eternally important purpose God has for us during this time of singleness. I truly believe if you are single and in the will of God, He is not going to let "the one" pass you by should it be time for your season of singleness come to an end. Please remember that Jesus is the only one who can make you whole. No man, no woman, only Jesus completes us. We are not measured at the end of this life by whether or not we found a spouse but simply by did you do what God asked you to do.

I pray that every single person on this Valentine's Day has someone to verbally tell them they love them. I pray that Christians would use this Valentine's Day as a day to tell others we love them. And not just that we love them but that Jesus Christ, the God who is Love, loves them. That no one would lay their head on their pillow tomorrow night questioning their worth. I pray for married people to keep Christ as the center of their marriage. In Him they will find joy, hope, peace, strength for the difficult days, healing for all their hurts, and guidance for their family. For the single people I pray for healing for broken hearts, strength to stand alone in You, wisdom to know God's will, courage to do God's will, the peace, comfort and joy that can only be found in God!