Most of us know that the best approach to literally anything is putting God first and seeking His Kingdom and righteousness. However, if we’re all being honest, there are probably times where we say this, but our actions don’t necessarily line up.
Good news! We’re not here to make anyone feel bad about this. Instead, we’d like to explore why this happens when we’re dating and share a few strategies for encouragement to better align ourselves. We’ll also look at a common way we feel this verse gets misinterpreted in the realm of singleness.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
There are a million and one ways this powerful verse can be applied to dating and relationships. Today, we want to look at two of them.
First, it applies to your priorities when it comes to finding someone special. Is God still in the driver’s seat when it comes to your search for love, or does He get relegated to the backseat? Does your search for someone special include God, or does He get “put on hold” during the process?
Hopefully, your answer to both of these questions is that He’s at the forefront. What does this look like? While the list is fairly endless, it could look like including faith in your discussions with potential matches, making sure that your personal time with God is not getting shorted because of dating commitments, inviting someone you’re dating to attend church events with you, praying together—just as a few examples.
Second, it can apply to what you’re looking for in a match. Are you looking for someone that just meets your needs, or are you looking for someone who can be a partner in your growth in Christ? What characteristics are at the top of your list of wants and needs? Are there Godly values that are deal breakers for you, or that should be deal breakers for you?
Often, this verse gets misinterpreted to mean that you can’t proactively do anything to help yourself find a partner. While we wholeheartedly believe that God provides for His people, we also believe in the power of faith with action. In God’s divine sovereignty, He chooses to let us be part of His plans.
What we want you to take away is this. It’s okay to put in effort to find a partner. It’s okay to use a dating app to help you find someone. Just make sure in and above all else that you’re keeping God at the forefront of everything. If this ever feels like it’s wavering, that’s your cue to take a break, regroup, and then come back when your priority ducks are in a row.
📝 Here’s Some Reflection Questions:
- Is God at the forefront of my search for a partner?
- Are there things I could be doing better to further include God in the process?
- What safeguards and checks and balances can I put in place to make sure I know if I ever waiver from this?
Are you a single Christian looking to meet someone special? You can sign up for the Higher Bond App for free now! Click here to learn more or download the app below:
