To Date or Not to Date?

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Artist: Rhema Soul ft. G. Styles

So Saturday night I went to a House of Chayah Rap Session which is just young adults meeting and talking about real life situations, and at the end of it all, worshiping God with our voices. I have to be honest, my experience was dope, dope, DOPE across the board. The discussion was about love and relationships and it was led by a young married couple who were so honest and transparent about their relationship and its beginnings. I must say, it was very refreshing. One surprising moment during the night was when they asked people to raise their hands if they were relationships. And if they were, WHY they were in the relationship. I was incredibly surprised when only two hands out of the everyone- mind you this was a packed room- were up. I looked around and was like wait, so all these fine brothers and sisters are all single?? WHAAT?!

Okay okay, I myself I'm single and have been for almost three years, mostly by choice. I've developed a negative image on dating based largely on observations of friends and their relationships as well as personal experience. I see relationships as energy and time consuming. And I mean there's nothing wrong with that, but if I'm in a relationship, I'ld like to think I'm giving my all and holding NOTHING back and the only way that's gonna happen is if I'm marrying you, or there's a potential of marriage. If there isn't, then you're simply a waste of time. I've been through enough pain and don't see any reason to "practice" some more or "learn from mistakes"  before marriage. What I'm I practicing for, or learning for, if my marriage will NOT be like these useless relationships? Anyway that's just my philosophy and I was surprised a good number of the audience felt that way too. Mmm who knew?

The most important thing that was stressed is building a strong relationship with God FIRST before starting a romantic relationship with the opposite sex. It's right there in 2 Timothy 2: 22 (So flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart). The relationship with the opposite sex should also start as a friendship. When you're friends with someone, you know the person's characteristics, their weaknesses and strengths and from there you can decipher if you want to invest your time into building a closer relationships. Because you know them, you know if they meet your standards (which should include a close relationship with God: 2 Corinthians 6:14). The question is will he/she help you grow STRONGER in Christ? If not, then you know it's gonna be the opposite, just back away from that and keep it moving.

Dating is getting in a relationship with someone without knowing much about the person, but then hoping to find out more through the experience and that is truly where the trouble comes in. You make yourself vulnerable to pain when you don't know what kind of person you are dating. The bible says "guard your heart, for it is the well spring of life" -Proverbs 4:23 So one shouldn't careless give one's heart away, I mean it should be considered a precious gift, worthy only for someone who you could possibly see yourself with for the rest of your earthly life.

On that note, what about someone you see potential in? Well Pastor Justin from P4CM (Click me!) has 15 questions he strongly recommends women ask the man before getting in the relationship. Enjoy!



Ciao!