fusionatl

I have come to face this unexpected reality lately, not because I feel pitty for myself, not because I’m lonely, not because I’m filled with fear, but because every plan for every individual has been uniquely designed and is not the same. Has anyone ever had the what if single moment?

This is a great question to ask at The Forum this next Monday night, Feb 18th!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's one of the things we are talking about. We'll be meeting at Northern Star Coffee House in downtown Norcross @ 8pm.

Yeah Dia I will see you there right, you owe me LOL

Ok, for the other 45 people who have already viewed this pg who did not make it to the Forum, let us discuss. I think that there is a stage that everyone goes through that is about being content with singleness. Finding your relational value in Christ, so to speak. I also believe that there are some people that are actually ‘gifted’ to stay single forever (In fact I have a close friend who has said on many occasion that she may chose celibacy). How do you decide if you are graced by God for this? For starters, if you have any desire at all to get married, you probably aren’t meant to be single. Yes, it is about “killing your flesh” but Paul also says that it is not wise to burn with passion.

dia,

i think first, god's plan for your life is to be more like christ, whether single or married. however, your question is one that has been at the forefront of my mind and heart for a very long time; i'm talking years here.

you know that scripture in matthew where jesus teaches on divorce and celibacy? matthew 19 is where it's at. after he explains to the disciples that god hates divorce, but allows it b/c of the hardness of our hearts, he goes on to say that unless you divorce for sexual immorality and then marry another, you are commiting adultery. the disciples response to this is that it is better not to marry. (first off, talk about hardened hearts! "if i can only divorce b/c of sexual immorality, i don't wanna get married". what's up with that?!?)

jesus' response to this is the following:

11: Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only to whom it has been given. For some are eunuchs b/c they were born that way; other have been made eunuchs; and others have renounced marriage b/c of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."

Whoa. If you can accept being single for the sake of the kingdom then you should?

That totally throws the whole: some people are called and some aren't theory out the window!

While I do believe that there is definitely a grace to be celibate, as with all things, there must first be a yes in order for the grace to be present. So my question to you is: Is there a yes in your heart to forsake marriage for the sake of the kingdom? If not, and there's nothing wrong with that, then I don't think you'll be single for the rest of your life.

Whatever the answer is, fully embrace the lifestyle that you feel you should live in order to become more like Christ.

Cheers!

Good thoughts Tai. What really opened up my eyes to the thought that "others have renounced marriage b/c of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it"...what opened my eyes up to that was the last few chapter of Sex God, the Rob Bell book. It's in the book store & you guys should pick it up.

That's a pretty revolutionary idea...even if it is 2000 years old! We just don't talk about it. It's definitely seen as pretty "out there" but is totally valid in the eyes of God & is even...dare I say...a better choice than marriage. Wow!