There seems to be this resurgence within Christian culture (whatever that is) around this idea of covenant marriage. I daily get emails about different upcoming marriage conferences and my church is even streaming a simulcast of a marriage conference February 19 and 20.

For the record, I don’t think any of those things are bad. Divorce in America is at an all time high, and Ephesians God says marriage is a picture of how Christ loves his Church. And since Satan can’t destroy the church his desire it to destroy marriages.

So yes and amen to getting the word out to help marriages. It’s painfully needed. However, not at the expense of singleness. There’s a majority demographic of people out there who have what Paul calls the, “gift of singleness.”

Now before you say, “Landon, what could you possibly know about singleness? You’ve got a smoking hot wife at home—“ Let me point out to you that my wife and I didn’t start dating until I was 24, and we weren’t married until 26.

I know what it’s like to cook a meal for one. A man, a can, and a microwave is how that worked. I know what it’s like to sit down at a restaurant and have the waitress say, “Can I start you with something to drink while you wait for the rest of your party?” “Well, I’ll take that drink, but it’s just me tonight—thanks.” I know what it’s like to get a Valentines Day card from your mom! That’s humbling. “Mom, I’m really not depressed. Thank you for the card, though.”

In other words, I’m intimately aware of the struggles of a single person—to which Beyonce Knowles sung eloquently about. If you like it, you should’ve put a ring on it.

Speaking of single ladies, there is this amazing story in the bible about a gal named Ruth. She was a moabite and an enemy of God—yet God used her in an incredible way, and ultimately Jesus Christ was born from her descendants (Matthew 1).

What I find fascinating about Ruth is she sowed in to her life some qualities, she established some character traits that all single people (and for that matter, married people as well) need. Ultimately, they got her noticed by Boaz, and they got married. Admittedly you shouldn’t do these things to get noticed, but nothing can hurt, right?

1. Honesty (Ruth 2:5-7) Ruth didn’t hide the fact she was moabite, despite the fact that the people in Boaz’s clan were instructed to never help a moabite (Deuteronomy 23:3). How are you doing at being honest? Are you someone people can count on?

2. Humility (Ruth 2:10) Ruth never regarded herself more highly than she ought. Her perspective was always about serving others first (Philippians 2:3) Who are you serving right now? Do you count others more highly than yourself?

3. Hard Work (Ruth 2:17) Ruth worked long hours doing grueling manual labor. Are you a hard worker? Do you consider yourself entitled to things or do you work hard for them? (Proverbs 13:4)

4. Hope (1:14) Ruth clung to her hope in life. What’s your hope?

Romans 15:13 says our hope should be in God. Who sent His Son, Jesus to die for our sins. If you have trusted Jesus as your Savior, you have an eternal reward waiting for you. This is the greatest news in the history of the world!

If you confess your sins, and believe in Jesus, you too can be saved!

Learn from Ruth. Embrace your singleness, and establish these things in to your life. They will serve you well, regardless of what stage of life you’re in.