Bellaflor, you sound like a poet because that was beautiful. I would put music to that right there. Makes me smile.
Dating is such a strange concept.
I didn't do it during high school because God called me to singleness during that time. After high school.. I still didn't date, but I got too interested in dating, and with the wrong guy. Even that caused problems that I'm paying for.
Dating is too casual. Making matches in Biblical times was very serious business. The parents chose the mate unless the man chose the girl and got her parent's permission. They would of course make sure this man was of Biblical standard and worthy of their daughter. The two shared a glass of wine together and technically they were married (it's a more complicated procedure, with lots of symbolism but I'm making it short and sweet lol). Then the groom would go away and prepare their home. The party starts when he returns to fetch his wife, an ordeal that involves the whole community. Then they ride off into the sunset... *scratching dj noise*
2000 years later..
And it's turned into dating today.
Yea... there's got to be some middle ground
somewhere, right?
There is! It's called courting. It's difference is in its purpose and focus.
You're financially ready to support a spouse and family. CHECK
You're spiritually ready to support a spouse and family. CHECK
You're after God's will and not your own. CHECK
You're content with being single because you are able to focus solely on God, but you feel Him moving you toward consideration of marriage at this time. CHECK
This isn't simply about pleasure and companionship. This is about marriage. CHECK
You have prayed a LOT about this step, and is asking for God's direction. CHECK
You have either heard from God about a particular person, or you feel Him leading you toward a particular person and with God's guidance, you would be willing to explore the possibilities of marriage with this person. CHECK
Your goal is to make God the center of absolutely everything, and you create boundaries so that the relationship completely pleases God. CHECK
Got all those? Then you're ready for Biblical courting. The concept is all over the Bible, though it may not spell it out as clearly as other things.
This is the checklist I follow. So far, I'm not even close. lol I feel God directing me to two more years of singleness, if not more. I'll hit that road when it comes. But as Paul said, it is better for us young ones to be single so that we can better focus on God without the distraction of a spouse (he can go into detail of that for you). And that should be our focus at this time - God. Focus solely on Him and He will tell you when it's time to start including a special someone, and who that will be.