Center Of It All

When did this...

Become this? 

Since when dating someone become all about him/her buying you such extravagant things? How did meeting your soulmate become a reality television show?

It is clear that almost everything we do in todays world is done completely different than it was done in the old days. People use to communicate through letters, now days it's texting. People use to learn out of textbooks at school, and today most schools are bringing in even more and more technology. But what about dating? What happen to chivalry? Or the guy asking parents permission to take a girl out? What happened to it being called "going steady"? Now days, people refer to their significant other as their "bae"

Being a teenager is tough. Especially in todays world. 

School -> Stress -> Acne -> More Stress -> More Acne

It's a never ending cycle! Teenagers today are faced with temptation everywhere we turn. I could go on and on about things our youth is struggling with today, but what I want to talk about now is dating.  Back in my sophomore year of high school, I started dating someone. We dated a little over a year. It was my first "serious" relationship, and also my last serious relationship for a while. My mom, and even my older sister had told me not to get into a serious relationship because I'm only in high school. It was a time for friends, not boyfriends. A time to find myself, not lose myself. A time to grow closer to God, not farther away. 

Fast forward three years..

Mom, you were right. Yes, you read that correctly. You. Were. Right.

• Over 70% of girls age 15-17 avoid day to day activities such as attending school on days when they feel bad about their looks.
• 7 in 10 girls feel they are not pretty enough.

Teen girls that have a negative view of themselves are 4 times more likely to take part in activities with boys that they've ended up regretting later.

Once a girl finds a boy who thinks she is pretty, she finally feels good about herself. We will do anything to keep him happy, and to keep him around because he makes us feel good. But why does it take a boy to make us feel good about ourselves?

Psalm 139:13-14

13 

For it was You who created my inward parts;

You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 

I will praise You

because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.

Your works are wonderful,

and I know this very well.

We are beautiful. Why? Because our creator made us. 

Luke 12:6-7

6 Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. 7 Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows!

Never let a boy define you. You are beautiful and you are loved and until you see that, any relationship you are in will be an unhealthy one.

I feel that often times we begin dating someone we often get to a point where we can't picture ourselves without them. Everything has been revolved around them. Once your relationship loses God in the middle, it's a downhill spiral from there. 

2 Corinthians 6:14

14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?

As a Christian, it is important to surround yourself with other believers so that they can build you up and not tear you down. God did not intend for dating to be all about how they give you butterflies, or how big of a teddy bear you will get for Valentines day this year. If you are wanting a relationship with someone, ask yourself if he/she is a believer. If so, then pursue it. If not, move on. Dating is to find your future spouse. Someone you are going to make a life long commitment to. Once you are married, you are a team. Forever. Make sure your teammate is on the same page as you are. What are you two going to do for the Lord? How are you two going to serve? Isn't that what we're here for? To honor God in all that we do? Yes. We are. 

Before you start dating just remember...

Worry about what God thinks about you, not what your boyfriend thinks about you.

Lose yourself in Christ, not your boyfriend.

Keep God in the middle. 

Most importantly, pray. Pray that God will bring the right person into your life. God will bring him to you at His timing. Not ours. He is writing our love story. Not us.