Alone

I have newfound respect for those who faithfully minister to God's people while single. While my wife and children have been "soaking up the rays" in Florida, I have been trying to stay busy here in Beaver Falls, PA. And that should be easy, since there is much to do.

I have been busy, and more things to do reach my mind almost daily. But, only four days away from my family has caused me to more fully realize what God knew to be true already 6,000 years ago.

Genesis 2:18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him."

Yep...right again. I do not have the gift of staying single, as Paul describes it in 1 Corinthians 7:8. I gladly will be like Peter and the brother's of Jesus who traveled with wives.

1 Corinthians 9:5 Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas?

(By the way, this is a perfect verse to battle the 'DaVinci Code' fiction, as Paul certainly would have pointed to Christ as the ultimate example of traveling with a wife, had Jesus ever wed, which, of course, he hadn't)

It is a very different life, being single and "pulled in all directions". I must admit, I love spending time with my wife and children. There is much love that I receive from them each day. I am sure that God's minister who is single sees his people as 'family'. However, he may have little time for his own endeavors as he seeks to be "all things to all people" (1 Cor. 9:20-22). Yes, it's the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2; 1 Cor. 9:21) that we strive for, but all people need love. May God bless those who minister faithfully while living alone. May Christ be their comfort, their help, their joy, their partner, their strength, their shoulder...their friend.

And may those who have "helpers", know and appreciate the God-given gift that they are to us always. Praise God for his goodness.