Dating may be the greatest period of your life. It may also be the most traumatic period of your life. It is hard to open your heart to a person who might break it, and it also might be difficult to let someone see your innermost self and then trust him or her to take care of it. But dating can also be exciting… filled with mystery and romance. Full of anticipation as you wait for a call or a first kiss.  In today’s post, learn the difference between dating and courtship from the love story in The Song of Solomon.

"How to Date and Love a Woman" by J.D. Greear 

Read
Song of Solomon 2:8-13

Pray
Father, You are the author of love, the example of love. You know who I should marry and how I should pursue a relationship. I seek Your wisdom and guidance as I date so I will be aware of whom to date and when to marry.

Reflect
Am I seeking God’s direction for my dating life?

Respond
If you have been dating without God’s direction, then take a step back and seek Him. Learn what romance is to God, and discover how you should date in light of what you learn.

Dating can be exciting, and although we don’t compare our loved ones to deer or trees as Solomon and his lover did, we do experience the thrill of dating. As you discover the traits you want and don’t want in a potential mate, you will learn about the kind of person God wants you to pursue. Sometimes, out of stubbornness, you might pursue the wrong person, or try to attract the attention of someone in the wrong way. In the next post, learn why God designed dating the way He did and why it isn’t His plan for a woman to blatantly pursue a man.