DATING GOD’S WAY: TRUSTING GOD FOR REDEEMED, LOVING RELATIONSHIPS
Bernadette Keene
Today’s Scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV
Theme: When we trust God with the direction of our lives, including our dating and marital relationships, He will come through for us.
TRUSTING GOD’S ASSIGNMENT
Have you ever paused to consider why God asks you to do certain things, or questioned if you are the right person for the assignment He gives you? When I felt God leading me to write for this series, I must confess that I had doubts about doing it. I have not had the best experiences in this area and was unsure if I had anything good to offer on this subject, but then I heard the song Your Way’s Better by Forrest Frank and reconsidered. God gently reminded me that past choices in my relationships are just that—in the past and forgiven—and that what matters is what I believe today, and I truly do believe that Gods way is better.
THE HARD PART
The world view on dating and relationships is very skewed, and standing firm on God’s truths can be challenging in this fallen world. It is easier to just embrace a worldly perspective on dating and relationships and follow the crowd. It is easier to fit in than to stand out. But God calls us to higher thinking, a heavenly mindset, a Biblical view that sets us apart from the world. God’s plan for dating and relationships focuses on avoiding sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 7:2) and being equally yoked by dating someone who shares your passion and beliefs about God (2 Corinthians 6:14).
Dating relationships should be entered into to gain an understanding on character, spiritual maturity, and a mutual commitment to Christ, all with the goal of marriage. This is the Biblical way. I know: that is a lot to take in, right? Choosing to accept God’s way and relinquishing our own is what makes us stand out.
Choosing my own way or the world's way seemed easier... at first; but it brought a lot of heartache. Choosing God’s way is not easy... at first; but it brings blessing. Our verse of the day reminds us that we can, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV. We can trust God wholeheartedly to guide us in our relationships.
Make It Personal: As I reflect on my faith journey and all the pain and heartache that I have suffered for doing things my own way in relationships, I am grateful that God redeems broken pasts and broken hearts. If we let Him, He comes into those tender places and demonstrates what real love and real trust are. He has shown me what relationships as He intended them to look like should be. We can trust His good plan for us. By submitting to God’s will and relying on His wisdom rather than our own understanding, we open ourselves to His guidance and provision. In the context of dating and relationships, this trust means allowing God to direct our steps, believing that He knows what is best for us and has a perfect plan for our lives. Marriage is the coming together of two people who love God separately, then decide to love Him together.
Pray: Heavenly Father, we place our dating life into Your hands. Help us to trust Your timing, even when we feel impatient or unsure. Guard our hearts and give us peace in the waiting. Teach us to seek You first, so that our relationship is rooted in love, truth, and purpose. As You draw us together, guide us to grow closer to You as we grow closer to each other. Your ways are excellent, God. We trust you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read: Genesis 2:18, Philippians 4:6-7, Psalm 25:7
Weekly Memory Verse: “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.’” Genesis 2:18, ESV