1 Corinthians 7 is a great chapter, all about marriage and how to serve the Lord in and out of relationships. It also makes it clear that it is NOT a sin to marry (vs. 28), so for all of those Catholic priests who have fallen into sexual sin, that should be a consideration.
Paul first encourages us to be content in our current state, whether married or single. Don't seek to change the present circumstance of where God has you. But, either way, the time is short, as he says in verse 29. Our days are numbered, Christ is coming soon, so whether we are married or single, we should serve the Lord with everything we have! We need to use our time wisely, making the most of every moment.
This idea really struck me, especially as I read the following verses, 32-35:
As a wife and mother (especially as a mother), I can see how differently my time is used compared to when I was single, and it is definitely tougher to do the things I want to do. My involvement in ministry has slowed down quite a bit. But, I still need to serve the Lord without distraction. I believe the lesson here is that no matter where we are in life - in school, at work, at home with kids, on the mission field, married or single - we need to do everything for the glory of God. I HATE doing the dishes, but I can do them with worship in my heart to the Lord, cheerfully, pleasing Him. We can make every moment of everyday a moment in which we do something eternal. We don't have to have constant excitement, huge rallies, conferences and crusades to glorify the Lord. Sometimes the hardest time to glorify Him is in the simplest moments of life, when we are faced with the choice of doing something with a cheerful spirit, or doing it just to get it done. Mary had chosen the better part as she sat at the feet of Jesus. Sometimes the intangibles are more important and precious to the Lord than the tangibles.
Paul first encourages us to be content in our current state, whether married or single. Don't seek to change the present circumstance of where God has you. But, either way, the time is short, as he says in verse 29. Our days are numbered, Christ is coming soon, so whether we are married or single, we should serve the Lord with everything we have! We need to use our time wisely, making the most of every moment.
This idea really struck me, especially as I read the following verses, 32-35:
"But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord--how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares about the things of the world--how he may please [his] wife. There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world--how she may please [her] husband. And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction."
As a wife and mother (especially as a mother), I can see how differently my time is used compared to when I was single, and it is definitely tougher to do the things I want to do. My involvement in ministry has slowed down quite a bit. But, I still need to serve the Lord without distraction. I believe the lesson here is that no matter where we are in life - in school, at work, at home with kids, on the mission field, married or single - we need to do everything for the glory of God. I HATE doing the dishes, but I can do them with worship in my heart to the Lord, cheerfully, pleasing Him. We can make every moment of everyday a moment in which we do something eternal. We don't have to have constant excitement, huge rallies, conferences and crusades to glorify the Lord. Sometimes the hardest time to glorify Him is in the simplest moments of life, when we are faced with the choice of doing something with a cheerful spirit, or doing it just to get it done. Mary had chosen the better part as she sat at the feet of Jesus. Sometimes the intangibles are more important and precious to the Lord than the tangibles.
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