EDITORIAL: RELATIONSHIP STATUS

We all know of someone who is currently dating someone, or has dated someone; we all know of at least one person. If you can’t already tell which direction this article is going in, I’m going to be talking around the realms of teen dating.

Everyone has their own opinions of teen dating (and you know what they say about opinions… they’re like armpits… everybody has them… and they all stink!) Most teenagers nowadays like to date simply because everyone else is doing it, which there’s nothing wrong with; but I personally feel there are better ways of going about the relationship, rather than going about it in a way that makes you feel “cool” because that is what’s considered “cool” to those around you.

Now, before I jump right into this rather deliberate topic, I would like to share with you all about my own personal experiences with dating, if that’s okay? Well, to start off, I’m going to be completely honest with you because to get my point across clearly, I feel it’s better that you get to know a little more about me on a more personal level. Okay, I’m starting now; I hope you’re ready… I’ve NEVER had a boyfriend and that may or may not come by as a surprise to you. Now you’re probably thinking “you’re 18 and you’ve never had a boyfriend?” The answer to that is no, I have not and I’m perfectly okay with it. Through my 18 years I have had a lot of people (teenagers) come to me for dating advice, which I know sounds odd considering I’ve never experienced a relationship of my own; but truthfully I feel that is one of the many ways that God is using to help better prepare me for my own relationship.

Now that you have a better understanding of my background I can talk about the actual topic, which is considered a more unspeakable topic. Dating of any kind is a type of relationship. God doesn’t look down on relationships that honor and glorify Him. So… dating, if not done to God’s satisfaction, can be a relationship that not only honors God but also helps you draw close to Him through the person you’re dating. Let’s get one thing straight right now. No TV show, books, or magazines will give you the truth regarding teen dating. The best and only place to go for good advice about teenage relationships is the truth found in The Bible, the Word of God. Now, I know the Bible doesn’t have the word “dating” in it. But there are definitely without a doubt different basis on relationships in the Bible that can help us figure out what’s right and wrong in this screwed-up world.

Some relationships are blessings, while others are lessons. We’ll always repeat the lustful relationships until we allow God to heal the parts of our hearts that needed them. As I’ve grown older and learned more about my own personal relationship with God, I have figured out what standards I want for myself and also the standards God has for me to follow. There have been many relationships in my life that are blessings to my life, but then I’ve had others that I’ve learned many lessons from. Now, of course my relationships that I’m talking about are different from the dating relationships; but my point is that no matter what relationship you are currently in you can see the blessings within the relationship or you can learn many life lessons through the relationship.

Trusting God’s timing can be hard if you’re still single, trust me I know how that feels. To see other teenagers around you holding hands, taking pictures, and being able to have the label “I have a boyfriend/girlfriend,” yeah, it’s not easy to watch. The way this generation has become it seems as if not having a boyfriend or a girlfriend is an odd thing, that one isn’t pretty or handsome if he or she doesn’t have one. Well, let me help you out. Just because you don’t have a boyfriend or a girlfriend doesn’t mean that you’re not cute (God doesn’t make anything less than perfect), it just means that God has someone better in store for you. Someone you will be able to spend the rest of your life with.  But He is preparing something better for you in His timing. I know it’s hard to find someone who shares the same values as you, or holds to your beliefs in today’s society, but trust me; God has handpicked someone just for you and for me as well. Not someone who will complete you, because that’s God’s job. But He has chosen a young woman or young man that will love you so much and help you to grow closer to God himself. By keeping God at the center of your future relationship you will be able to overcome any barrier this world throws at you. So trust in God’s timing and know that He will always be faithful to you. “For God has said, I will never fail you, I will never abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5).