For the single person who doesn’t have a date during wedding season
DeAnna McEntire
If social media hasn’t already given it away, wedding season is upon us. Engagement pictures flood Facebook and Instagram, and the wedding invitations seem to come in every other day. If you’re single, this season may make you feel more alone than ever. You may be wondering, “When will it be my turn?”
In the midst of this, the Bible offers timeless hope and wisdom for those who feel inadequate without a plus one to friends’ weddings.
Five Promises for the Man or Woman Without a Plus One
1. You’re always connected to Jesus.
“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” (Hosea 2:19-20).
The book of Hosea shows God’s love for His people, even when they’re unfaithful to Him. It points to the love Jesus has for His bride, the church. Jesus never promised us a plus one, and He doesn’t owe us anything. Instead, He promises to be with us always. We get to be connected to Jesus forever. And He is enough.
2. Jesus offers contentment.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6).
The struggle of contentment will not go away once you get married. As sinful people, we all desire more than what we have been given. Your desire could be for marriage, or it could be for a promotion, money, or fame.
Being content is a result of godliness (or God-likeness). The more time we spend with Jesus, the more we become like Him. And the more like Jesus we become, the more contentment we experience.
Jesus was the most content person who ever walked the earth, because in His relationship to His Father, He already had everything He needed. The same is true for us. Instead of focusing on the desire to be married, rest in contentment with Jesus and realize there is nothing that can fulfill us more than our relationship with Him.
3. Marriage is not the goal.
“When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven” (Mark 12:25).
It’s often hard for us, as humans, to see the big picture. When we see our small lives in the scheme of eternity, we are dots on an infinite line. Marriage may last for 40 or 50 years, but communion with Jesus lasts for eternity. Marriage displays a beautiful picture of Christ and His love for the church, but it is not the be-all, end-all.
4. Valuable relationships are all around you.
“[Jesus] replied to him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ Pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother’” (Matthew 12:48).
We all desire to know and be known. The desire to be married comes from us mimicking the Trinity and desiring community with another being who points us to Jesus. However, similarly to marriage, there is deep covenant community to be found in the church. Jesus recognized that anyone who loves the Father is family.
You can build intimate relationships by sharing your life with people in your church. You don’t need to wait for marriage to form deep, lasting relationships. You have an opportunity to love and be loved by your church family.
Marriage and singleness are equal gifts and provide opportunities to serve.
5. Singleness and marriage are equal gifts.
“I say this as a concession, not as a command. I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that” (1 Corinthians 7:6-7).
Paul recognized there are sometimes more opportunities to serve the Lord while single. He sees it as a gift and even wishes everyone could experience it. Paul wouldn’t have been able to travel and risk his life for the sake of the Gospel if he also needed to provide for a family of his own. Marriage and singleness are equal gifts and provide opportunities to serve. One is not greater than the other and they should both be viewed as such.
When you feel alone or inadequate because you don’t have a date to all the weddings happening this season, go back to the truth of Scripture and remind yourself that Jesus is the ultimate satisfaction of anything we desire on earth.