Don't Wait for Dates

By Ally B

Dating. The area of my life I’ve struggled with the most to be honest. As much as I hate to admit it, I have settled many times in my life because of the desire to have someone around. (2 Corinthians 6:14) I can tell you first-hand that it is far better to be single than in an unhealthy relationship/marriage. My loneliest time, in fact, was being in a marriage that was not Christ-centered and was completely broken.

I loved it when JP talked about how our time of singleness can be either a waste of time, or the most productive time. It’s hard to even think about the amount of time I’ve wasted in my life worrying about dating. Since surrendering my life to Christ, it has been amazing to see how God has worked in that area of my life. By focusing more on my relationship with God and less on relationships with guys, I’ve been able to build great relationships with my girl friends, serve here at The Porch, take Bible studies to work through areas of my life that I needed to deal with, and even go to the Amazon Jungle on a mission trip! This time of singleness has allowed God to restore me, sharpen me, and better prepare me for a relationship, if that is in His will. God has blessed my life more than any boyfriend ever could! (1 Corinthians 7:35)

Spending time with the Lord in my singleness has definitely helped to make purity a priority, greatly increased my discernment, and has shown me that when things don’t work out with someone, I can have peace knowing that I have no regrets and the Lord has something greater planned for my life (Romans 8:28). I am not defined by the guy I am with or if I have one at all, I am defined by Jesus Christ. I pray that my faithfulness marks me.

Ladies:

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue… Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." ~Proverbs 31:25-26, 30

Gentlemen:

"Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money… (They) are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience." ~1 Timothy 3:2-3, 8-9

DON’T COMPROMISE FOR THE REPLICA, HOLD OUT FOR THE REAL THING.