Dating & Relationships - Part 1

DATING & RELATIONSHIPS - Written by Kyle

The amazing topic of dating. We are all at different stages in our lives, some are single, some are dating and some are married - each stage has importance.  

If you are single, do not be despondent, God has the man/woman for you. His 'clock' is not broken, perhaps He's still working on your own or your future spouses character, but it will come together in His timing. Don't give up in your prayers, keep seeking on The Lord and focus on growing yourself as a person and advancing His Kingdom.  

In my view, Dating is a "testing out" relationship and Courting is a "knowing you are going to get married" relationship. It's important to know which one you are in or which one you are going to be in.  

Do you have marriage in mind and is that your main goal? If there is no vision for the relationship, then it is likely to lead to heartache despite how much love there is for one another. Proverbs 29:18 - "Where there is no vision, the people perish."  

If you are in a relationship right now, are you growing each other daily towards Christ and are you serving each other out of love or duty? Do you have the blessing of the parents from both sides? Are your expectations of your future husband or wife 'too perfect' for someone to fulfill?  

In choosing a partner, make sure that your beliefs are the same and don't be hesitant on asking fundamental questions as follows:  

How is your relationship in Christ?
Who is God to you?
Do you believe everything in The Bible?
What does marriage mean to you?
Would you like any children, if so, how many?
What are your goals and interests in life?  

Be cautious to be around a woman who is like the 'man' in the relationship, if this happens, then you might as well start growing your hair and wearing a dress. Relationships work on personalities, dominating personalities are never good in any area of life. Also be cautious to be around women who wear a lot of makeup. As a general rule; The thicker the makeup, the more trouble. It is a facade to cover up the insecurities and falseness that lies within.  

Some ways work differently for each person, but the best way to know someone is through friendship at first, spend time with that person, become that person's best friend, after all, isn't that what being in a relationship is about? Being with your best friend and fulfilling God's plan for your lives, growing each other and loving each other?  

If you are vulnerable, then you love your future wife/husband; if you are not vulnerable, then you don't love the other person. True love is vulnerability.  

Many think that when you marry someone, you will feel complete, but the truth is that marriage is not meant to make you a 'complete' person - Jesus makes you a complete person. We are 'whole' and 'complete' because of the life we live in Christ, therefore, marriage is designed to make us more holy than it is to make us more 'whole' or 'complete'.  

We are complete because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. There is no other man or woman who can complete you other than Jesus.  

The 8 keys to a successful relationship are:  

1. Jesus as the foundation and centre
2. Love
3. Communication
4. Honour
5. Respect
6. Selflessness
7. Understanding
8. Forgiveness  

What are your views on Dating and Relationships?  

Thank you for reading this post. Please read Part 2 as an additional read from a woman's perspective.  

KBP