Friendships Are Important
"At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven." -Matthew 22:30
It's important to have an eternal perspective on life, as well as a short-term one. When we're young, there's a lot going on. Some of the things we experience are rather confusing, especially concerning careers, callings, and life partners.
Relationships, (or the lack of them), can be a source of heartache and pain or the greatest joy and blessing - i.e., someone likes someone else who doesn't quite like them, someone is with someone else who is not the best match for them, someone breaks someone else's heart, or perhaps Jack and Jill are the perfect match, etc. I've heard older people say your twenties are your more difficult years; I think it's partly due to the fact that all this relationship mess is going on.
"Overlook an offense and bond a friendship..." Proverbs 17:9a
But with whatever happens, it is important to keep our friendships intact. We will not be married in heaven. So why should we make the pursuit of marriage an idol? God is going to put the right person in our lives at the right time if that is His plan for us. The key is to trust Him. Being single is awesome, and marriage is great too. But we shouldn't let the status of one or the absence of another rob us of our joy or faith in God. When it does, we've allowed it to become an idol to us. The foundation to all great relationships is, of course, friendship. And living the best life we can possibly live begins with friendship with God.
Be happy, enjoy your life, whether single or married. And, especially, build long lasting relationships with others. This is most important. "For the whole Law is complied with in the one precept, 'you shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Galatians 5:14)
Related resource: Safe People: How to Find Relationships that are Good for You and Avoid Those That Aren't, by Henry Cloud
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