Despite the ever-increasing normality of singleness and the rise in the number of people delaying marriage until later in life, there remains something of a stigma attached to singleness, especially when the person is over a particular age.
Regardless of their culture, faith or geographical location, many women and men from all sections of society still face huge pressure to get married, and singles in the church can feel that too, with all the family-focused programmes and activities that churches tend to run.
You may have seen a video on single women in China doing the rounds on the internet. In China, women who are unmarried after the age of 25 are referred to as "sheng nu" or "leftover women". The challenges they face have been highlighted by a new advert from skincare brand SK-II. In the clip, which is just over four minutes long, Chinese women talk about the comments that they are subjected to as a result of their relationship status, the pressure placed on them by their parents and society to settle down, and how they feel about not being married.
At one point during the short film, one woman says: "People think that in Chinese society, an unmarried woman is incomplete." Most singles will be able to relate to at least some of the themes explored in the ad, especially this notion of incompleteness, so it's no surprise that the video has been so popular with 1.6 million views and counting.
For some Christians, the church's emphasis on the importance of marriage can leave them too thinking that they are incomplete without a husband or wife.
The following Bible verses all serve as a reminder for single Christians that:
- Your value isn't defined by the love that another person has for you.
- It's not a romantic relationship with a man or a woman that completes you but a loving relationship and faithful relationship with God.
- Being single has many spiritual benefits.
- The qualities and abilities that many look for in a spouse are already found in God.
Psalm 16:5 - Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.
Isaiah 54:5 - For your Maker is your husband — the Lord Almighty is his name — the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.
Hosea 2:19-20 - I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord.
Matthew 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
1 Corinthians 7:8 - Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.
1 Corinthians 7:32-34 - I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs — how he can please the Lord.But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world — how he can please his wife — and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world — how she can please her husband.
