People NEED People

Note: The views expressed in this piece are those of the writer. There are a million opinions on this topic (and I'd like to hear yours) but don't be offended if our opinions don't align!

It's a quarter after one 

I'm all alone 

And I need you now 

- Lady Antebellum "Need You Now"

In God's massive and glorious ecosystem of life He created animals of all shapes and sizes. The common denominator between them all is that each animal looks to its own kind for social needs. You never hear about female independent lions or male elephants who choose not to wife up a female elephant because of the responsibility it entails. No, balance is made whole in God's ecosystem.

We humans? Not so much.

I've heard on several occasions by several different people that some people are just meant to be single. That I can agree with. But should that be a person's desire or should that be God's will revealed to them for their life?

Here's Paul the [single] Apostle on singleness:

" 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: 7, NIV 2010 edition)

In life we meet and come into relationship with people who have gifts. While I don't believe in soul mates, I do believe that God can allow you to come in contact with someone with complimentary gifts. Someone who challenges you to be better (better = more like Christ) because what they bring to the relationship is something you may not have been built to either see, do, consider, or think about. These gifts, as Paul mentions, come from God and they are for a designed purpose. Where you are weak, they are strong and vice versa. Relationships should bring God glory and if you come across someone who "fits" with your gifting - and more importantly their gift fits you! - that is giving God glory at it's finest. What better way to use your God given gifts than in the ultimate ministry of marriage and relationships? Our flesh will fail us at times and question our reason for being and imperfections will seep through but...

No one is perfect.

No relationship is going to be without heartache or pain or disagreement (or even a few personality mismatches). Any Christian can tell you that even our personal relationship with Christ can be filled with those feelings and challenges. However God's love is bigger than all of those things. Relationships produce fruit, and that comes through a process. No one said the process would be painless (I bet any mother can tell you how painful a "process" can be).

What fruit is coming out of your relationship?

Undoubtedly, God had a calling on Paul's life. One that extended beyond a home life and one that would impact generations of Christians to come. Paul's life was special and God knew what He was doing. Imagine the pain and lack of fulfillment that his wife and children would feel. So should singleness be an option or a calling?

Why would God create a humanity that doesn't need/depend on/appreciate it's own humanity?

What are your thoughts?