I was talking to someone today about dating. Before I get into what I really want to say, I will say that I don’t believe in it anymore. I never really thought about dating as a bad thing when I didn’t know Jesus, but I know him now and I do not recommend it AT ALL. If you don’t agree with me that’s ok. But let me share my perspective.
We were talking about dating and the desire of wanting a companion. My advice was “date yourself first”. What I mean by that is…figure out who you are first. Your likes, dislikes, career path, places you want to live, go, things you can and cannot tolerate, etc. Learn about who you are first and get so lost in who God is and what He’s doing in you before bringing someone else into the mix. This won’t only reveal a lot about yourself that you didn’t know, but it will also help you weed out the bad seeds and make it easier to recognize the one that God is actually sending you.
I remember when I was single and living for Jesus. There was a promise that God gave me that has since come to pass, with an additional blessing now in the mix. For about 5 years I focused on the promise, where I needed to be to have that promise fulfilled, praying against the promise (because things weren’t looking how I thought they should be), believing the promise, Promise, Promise, Promise! I was so confused and distracted by what God shared with me because my focus was in the wrong place. I mean y’all there is nothing wrong with being excited about the promises that God gives you. Just don’t lose sight in what He wants to do in and for you in the moment. There was so much that I wanted to do with my time, so many dreams I had, but I was blinded by pain of the past, frustration with my present, and the hope of my future. My eyes should have been up, looking at God and asking for direction. I have to say that even though that was my reality back then, there was also a lot that I didn’t know. Especially about prayer, about relationship with God and how that truly looked, how to talk to Him and that he wasn’t ashamed of me or punishing me for all the mistakes I made. He was pursuing me…heavily. I learned a lot from that experience and I don’t regret it at all for a couple of reasons:
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God is using my experiences to help others avoid making the same mistakes.
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He is a redeemer and will restore what was lost.
No, we don’t get time back but I know my purpose, we have our dreams and God is in the midst of everything that is going on in our lives right now. I wouldn’t be the woman I am, and am still becoming, if I didn’t go through what I went through. Don’t get caught up in “Man I missed it!” either. Just start now. Look up and seek God-He will give you everything that you need to move forward in the current situation you are in. Remember, He created you and knows you better than anyone and he already has a plan for your life. Put Him first in every desire and decision and surely He will take care of you. I hope this encourages you and inspires you to run after him in ways you’ve never done before.
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“But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.”
