Early 40s, never married Christian woman myself, and I did not have sex. I have given up on the idea of waiting until marriage to have sex. Most churches and most material for Christian singles does not acknowledge older Christian celibates, and if and when they do on those rare occasions admit we exist, we have been treated like odd balls or failures for abstaining and not getting married, causing me to wonder why so many Christians bother telling teen age and early 20-something Christians to wait until marriage, since they cannot or will not support Christians who are still virgins at age 40 or older. Many Christian women over the age of 35 today did not choose to be single this long and don't know why we never married. But some Christian authors and personalities keep assuming we are to blame for being single or that we chose singleness. We're over 35 years old, still single, we're celibate, and get no help from the Christian culture.

Well, I applaud you on being young and abstaining from sex. Very hard to do. I am a widower and I really miss the fulfillment of physical affection through sex in marriage that brings closeness, intimacy and a sense of security. I could travel the world a hundred times, have more money than I could every spend and nothing could replace the physical, sexual intimacy marriage brings when you are with the right partner. I really don't want to be judgmental but my initial reaction to your column was that you should pull back on the traveling and maybe focus more on the Christian singles dating scene to see if it is God who is really holding you back from finding a partner.

Singles assume the married couples are having lots of sex, everyday, all day and it's fabulous. Married couples assume singles are traveling, spending money, and having all this freedom. Both sides are incorrect and would be disappointed, or eventually bored with the life and realize they'd romanticized the other side of the fence.

Good insight. However since one doesn't need a sexual partner to have sex, I would imaging in a sex filled society pornography and Masterbation would come into play, or at least present itself as a temptation. The key is self control a strong spiritual connection to God and constant prayer especially in temptations. Without God's grace chastity is impossible. God bless!

Preach it, Anna!

God tells us through the Apostle Paul that celibacy is a gift that allows us to be able to serve with no split allegiances. Does that mean only a single celibate person can serve God well? Of course not but we do know that God's word is true so celibacy can be the greatest gift.

This was an interesting article and I agree, we were made for more than sex. However, just because a person has had sex, doesn't mean they don't engage in life any less than an individual practicing chastity. Or that they are all hedonistically indulging in selfish depravity. Anyone can practice what you've outlined in your article, and I think everyone should do so, whether they be married or single. I find it dangerous to say one Christian may have an advantage in his or her state of growth in Christ over another merely based on a vow of chastity. While I do believe living in sin limits growth and the blessings God longs to give us, I hesitate to proclaim that someone's blessings and growth are based on the fact that they are single and chaste. Sexual activity isn't a measurement for growth and blessings--its all a matter of the heart. Embracing where God has you, whatever state you are in--single, married, widowed, divorced--and choosing to honor Him in all we do. Just my thoughts.

Great topic. Great thought. I live in China, and I told a single Chinese sister who just turned 30 that she could not be more valuable than she is now. She, as a single, has time to mentor the teenage daughter of a family deeply in need or her influence. She cooks and buys for us. She reaches out to her co-workers both men and women and prays for each. She spreads love all around our church by her smile and life and energy. I pray she finds a man to marry, but the whole church will be harmed if she marries. Many people she blesses and even transforms now will lose her influence as her focus on a husband and perhaos children takes her away from all of us. I would hate to think that she feels her life is less valuable than the 30 something woman who has a boy on her knee and little time for the rest of us. I pray that she and others would know that just as Paul lived a valuable life without marraige, so can they if they accept that path they have today.

Can a guy say a word? I love your article and the insights that you bring to it through your personal journey. My wife and I mentor and counsel quite a few single young women here in Kuala Lumpur. Your article is fresh air in a day of stale self-centered hedonism. Thanks.

Such a great post, Anna! I love it!

Nice job, Anna. Of course only the most narrow minded sexophile would think the body is made only for sex, but you're right that often folks will act as if there is no greater good for the body than to use it for sex. What do people really want though, conversations that always start and end with "I have a sex organ and so do you, so what are we waiting for?" Cheers, Tim (timfall.wordpress.com)

Beautiful and well thought out. Also - for anyone that has never done so - try to still your senses. Deprive them. Then add one sensation - regardless of what it is. That one sensation will be much stronger when you do not have the other senses to call on.