Dating
Like most people, at age 16 I was “allowed” to date (middle definition – to have social engagements with the person of the opposite sex). It was the American way and it was all we knew. Since I’ve grown in the things of the Lord, my views on this particular subject have changed.
From the beginning of time men and women have been "hookin" up, and the desire is only natural! The Bible says that when God made the animals He couldn’t find a help meet for Adam. So He put him to sleep, took him apart and whipped up a woman (Genesis 2:18-25). I would have loved to have seen Adam’s face when he saw her!
What is a help meet? It’s an aid, which means to give assistance. So girls, you were created to give assistance, to be a “helper.” Guys, you were created to dominate. We are incomplete without each other. That explains why you become excited, nervous and your heart beats wild when you’re around the opposite sex. You may find your thoughts on a significant other, experience crazy emotions and even the loss of appetite. Sound familiar? Don’t despair, you’re perfectly normal! The desire within you to be with the opposite sex is God-given which leads us to the purpose of dating.
Why date? Because you desire to be complete. You want a mate (Note: That’s not to mate, it’s a mate; don’t misinterpret your desire). The true purpose of dating is to find your mate. Unfortunately, the vast majority find trouble and heartbreak.
Wouldn’t it be easier to do what Matthew 6:33 says? “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Your position in Christ – the new and living way) and all these things shall be added unto you.” I don’t think it says, “Seek first the cutest guy or hottest girl and then the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” I believe it says to seek God first. If you do, you will actually have something worthwhile to offer when the time comes.
The love of the Father is far more desirable than a wounded heart and left over baggage. Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight thyself also in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." He knows what you need and desire better than you do! When is the best time to date? Only God, you and your parents can determine that. The Bible says, "For everything there is a season." (Ecclesiastes 3:1). That includes love. In Indiana, we don’t try to grow corn in the middle of January. It’s not the right season, nor would it yield a productive crop. Love, out of season, is not very fruitful either. It can never grow to its full potential and produce the desired result of completion or fulfillment.
Do a heart check-up. Are you really seeking the kingdom of God (your position in Christ) and putting God first place or are you allowing your flesh to have its way? Do you really trust God through your parents and your own heart to help you make the right decision? Finding the perfect mate takes faith and determination, but in the end it yields a lifetime of happiness and stability. So until you have all your “dating” questions answered, the next time you think that you need a date, why not try the oblong, sweet and fleshy fruit kind?
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A New and Living Way
Dating? What is it anyway? What is the purpose? Out of curiosity, I
looked it up in the Webster’s Concise Dictionary of the English
Language. It had seven different definitions (go figure), such
as a point of time, to have social engagements with the person of
the opposite sex and the oblong, sweet, fleshy fruit of the date
palm…just to name a few.
A New and Living
Way