Central Truth

Even when we are married, our first love should be Christ. Unmarried Christians should rejoice in the time that God has given them to cultivate their relationship with Him. 

Reflections

I can’t read this passage of scripture without being reminded of Robert Herrick’s poem “To the Virgins to Make Much of Time.” It begins:

     Gather ye rose-buds while ye may,
     Old Time is still a-flying;
     And this same flower that smiles today,
     Tomorrow will be dying.

This springtime poem reminds young maidens that their beauty is fleeting. So HURRY! GET MARRIED! As a literature teacher, I love this poem. The apostle Paul, however, has different advice for young maidens.

I’ve always been a bit baffled by Paul’s unapologetic conclusion that to remain single is “best.” After all, weren’t we commanded to “be fruitful and multiply?" What exactly does Paul have against marriage? Didn’t Paul get Robert Herrick’s memo that explains that young love is glorious, yet fleeting; therefore, we should seize the moment?

I think that anyone who has been married for more than a couple of years might understand Paul’s caution. Earlier, Paul writes  “. . . those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.” (1 Cor. 7:28) WHAT? Marriage isn’t always like Robert Herrick portrayed in his romantic poem? GASP!

So what now? If Paul encourages members of the church to stay single, yet simultaneously gives them the “green light” to get married, what exactly is he trying to say?  

It seems that Paul is talking about priorities. He’s talking about first loves. I worry about “young maidens” falling in love for the first time with their fiancées. The first time my daughters fall in love, I pray it is with Christ. When my sons prioritize their lives and their leadership, I hope their first thoughts are foremost the desires of God, not the desires of their beloved maiden.

The world tells us that the springtime of life is the “best” time. It’s the time when beauty and hopefulness are at their peak. But I have news for Robert Herrick. After the flower of our life “dies,” in its place comes fruit. Moreover, happiness blooms repeatedly through seasons of change when our first love is Christ. 

Discussion Questions

1. How can we keep Christ as our first love?
2. What does it mean to "make much of time" in our relationship with Christ?
3. How can we encourage unmarried Christians to rejoice in the time that God has given them to cultivate their relationship with Him? If you are single, are you enjoying this time, or are you  "looking for love" while Christ longs for your time?