Married or Single?

Food for Life:
1 Corinthians 7

Please read this chapter prayerfully and thoughtfully. It is power-packed and easily misunderstood. A few observations, by way of summary are in order. Paul had been asked by the church at Corinth many questions pertaining to daily life - living as Believers. There culture was similar to ours today - much immorality and sexual temptation at every turn...."whatever" goes. Paul's basic premise and exhortation was - whatever situation you find yourself in, stay that way for the present - if married, stay married, if single stay single.
He even stated that he would prefer everyone be as he was, single - because those who are married need to be concerned about the affairs of spouse, children, and home. Single folks had time to for more devoted focus on the Lord's work and ministry.
However, he was NOT criticizing marriage...marriage is ordained by God! He did stress the utmost importance of prayerfully considering marriage, before marrying - marriage is a life-long commitment through the trials and joys of relationship and life!
Once one is married, it is then imperative to focus on your spouse, children, and home only second to your love relationship with Jesus.
Both singleness and marriedness bring the same life issues, only in different context - in both states of life people struggle with the same issues: loneliness, sexual temptation, satisfaction of one's deepest emotional needs, life difficulties. The commentary author wrote, "Marriage alone does not hold two people together, but commitment does - commitment to Christ and to each other despite conflicts and problems. As wonderful as it is, marriage does not automatically solve every problem" (p 2072).
As a single person, Paul's admonition resonates with me, "An unmarried woman 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" (vs 34). I have found this to be true. does this mean I've not had the desire to be married? No. It does mean tho' that as long as I'm single, my time is devoted singly focused rather than divided by the affairs of husband and home.
Paul goes on to say, 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" (vs 33.34). Paul is letting single folks know how life changes when married - as far as focus - and rightly so! A married man or woman, after their first love with Jesus, is to love, respect, care for, provide, nurture, raise, their families.
SO - if you are single, how are you spending your time? If you are married, how are you spending your time? What are the priorities?
As we read through this chapter we see Paul giving very clear answers - directions and guidance - to the questions posed to him regarding marriage, singleness, divorce, remarriage, sexual temptation - we would do well to ponder the admonitions.
"Lord, thank You that there is nothing of this life that You have left up to us to 'figure out' apart from Your Word, and Your Holy Spirit to empower us to carry out. This life on earth is not heaven. Jesus said there would be trouble here, but we can 'take heart' and 'be of good courage' because He has overcome this world. You help us on the path we are on and making choices along the way that will bring Honor and Glory to You, will be for our good, and for the good of others. Thank You Lord."