Bread from Heaven on….

DATING

By Evangelist J.K. Hamilton

Introduction:

It becomes very difficult to teach or investigate the subject of dating if you’re looking for the scriptures to spell it out.  A look in the bible does not leave us with a whole lot of information on the subject of dating.   However, the bible is full of principles of relationship building and dating most certainly fits under that category.  The ingredients needed in the dating process are essentially the same ingredients needed to build and maintain any good relationship.   There are however, some other principles that we will explore pertaining to finding a life partner that may aid in the process of mate selection.  There are many questions that arise when it comes to dating.   Incidentally, the majority of those questions are asked by women.  More than men, women seek to understand the ins and outs of dating and relationships while men seek the ins and outs of simply having a woman.  Men are more bottom-line while women are more interested in process. This of course is a generalization that may not be applicable in every situation.   Through this article I want to explore and observe behaviors, mentalities, perceptions and assumptions made in dating and receive what heaven has to say about the issues of dating. 

Dating: A Process with Purpose

Before we commence any further, perhaps it’s necessary for “dating” to be defined.  What exactly is meant by the term “dating”?  If a survey was taken there would undoubtedly be several different definitions given by various groups.   The formal definition of dating is “to have social arrangements with” as given by the Webster’s New World Dictionary.  The reality is that no matter how many definitions of “dating” exist out there, there is one thing that each of them have in common and that is all of them have to do with social interaction between persons that have some exclusive significance between themselves.  I will approach this topic from this definitional dimension. Dating is a process.  Relationship building takes time.  Time is an essential ingredient to building a strong healthy relationship.  And because time is irreplaceable and can not be retrieved back once it is used then it is important that just as you would value your time of life… you should value your time dating someone.  Time can’t afford you to walk on a treadmill if you need to be on the highway to get where you’re trying to go. Heaven has something to say about the value of time. The bible declares,  For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. (Eccl 3:1).  From this heavenly nugget a powerful principle can be found even as it pertains to “dating”.

(See next blog for remainder of article.)