Dating vs Waiting
by Rachel
This is one of the hardest topics to touch on. I've heard so many opinions on dating vs waiting, that it depends on the person, their personality, or the strength of their faith. But while everyone is different and on different spiritual levels, it's still important that God is first.
As Christians, we should be asking God to bring someone into our lives who loves the Lord and will draw us closer to the Lord. However, when you're dating it can pull your mind & heart from Jesus.
God wants you and your spouse to have a deep relationship with Him. So shouldn't you focus on your relationship with God, who is perfect, before your relationship with that "special someone," who is far from perfect?
IF JESUS DOESN'T SATISFY YOU, NOTHING WILL.
Satisfaction is ONLY found in Jesus Christ. Friendship is vital. Why not just be friends for a while? If you're with me on the whole waiting thing, but are kind of into someone, then listen closely. Man & Wife should not only be in love but they should be best friends. And as Christians, we pray for our best friends. We know what they're struggling with. We know their heart. Do you know the heart of this “special someone”?
Do they:
1. Love God more than you?
If you want someone who loves the Lord & will lead you in the right direction, then you need to understand that His love for God should be substantially bigger than his love for anyone else. Even you. Because a man that loves God will love you.
2. Respect you?
Are they going to respect you and your purity, or try and push you farther? Because someone that doesn't respect you and your purity isn't going to treat you how you deserve.
3. Value their relationship with God?
Our relationship with God is more precious than rubies. It is more valuable than gold. It is more beautiful than anything you will ever see. So you see, it must be the most important!
One of the most precious sights to see is when two people are praying together. When they meet in the middle of their busy week to read
God's word and listen. Listen to each other's heart, to what's going on in their life, to how God is using them. This is a great place to start! So many people think, "Well, we're both Christians. So when we're married or older we can focus on God." But they don't get it,
God should be their first love. God should constantly be on their minds. Even Christians that are dating struggle with this. But God is our first love. He loved us first and will love us much longer than anyone ever has or will.
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"While I'm not against dating, I believe in waiting."
43
Photo by D. Sharon Pruitt
I've heard so many people say, "Well, I'm dating a strong Christian," but there can still be something wrong with that saying. So often it is just an excuse to make us feel better or look better. Maybe not everybody will understand, but God does. God knows whom your heart belongs to. Who is the first one you think of when you wake up, or the last one you're thinking of before you go to sleep? God knows.
I've heard that our eyes should be so focused on God, that the only reason we look to the side is because we hear God whisper, "That's him." You have to understand the meaning of this. Our eyes should always be on God. If you’re dating someone AND trying to build your relationship with God, how is your entire heart set on God?
The purpose of a marriage is that two become one. God wants you and your spouse to have a deep relationship with Him. So shouldn't you focus on your relationship with God, who is perfect, before your relationship with that "special someone", who is far from perfect?
But God desires our whole hearts.