"Singled" Out

Why do we get offended at labels? Recently, I was speaking with a friend about a group of single adults at my church and how they do not like to be called "single". I find that odd and a little funny.

Conversations:
"Are they married?"... "No, they are in college age group."... "Yeah, but are they married?"... "No."... "Then, they are single."..."No, they are in the college age group!" (Huh?)

Then, there's that group that are widowed..."Are you single?"..."No, I'm widowed."... "Are you remarried?"..."No, I said I was widowed!" *Double-take*

Do we even have to discuss those that are divorced? Many of them are right back in marriage as soon as the gavel falls and the ink is still damp from divorce papers. I bet some sign the divorce papers and marriage license with the same pen! The divorced scream "I'M SINGLE!!!" They typically want to be married again so badly that they fall for the first person promising some attention (finger pointing in my direction).

So that brings me to that next ambiguous group...the "separated"... "Are you married?"..."No, I'm separated." "So you're divorced?"... "Well, not yet."..."Then, you're married."..."No, I said I was separated!" Until there is a divorce, there is a marriage!

Is being single a sin? drug? bad-habit? curse? plague? No, but we sure treat it as such. I remembered when I was married and I would see single people serving the Lord. I would think, "If I were single, I could do so much more for the Lord..." Crazy thinking, right? Well, I got my wish. I'm single and I do have much time that I can serve the Lord. Notice, I said "much", but not necessarily more. It's a mindset really. I can serve the Lord married or single. The point is...SERVE THE LORD! If we would stop craining our necks through the fence to see how the grass tasted on the otherside of the barbed-wire, we may just find satisfaction serving God with whatever label we are wearing.