Who should I date?

In the 11th grade, my youth director told me something really deep. He told me that I was going to marry someone I dated.

Wow, ground breaking news! Well “of course”, I thought. Congratulations on stating the obvious Mr. Youth Director!

Actually, his point was that you shouldn’t go out with a person that you would not marry. The qualities you desire in your eventual spouse should be the same qualities that you look for in a person that you date. Some people have lower standards for dating than they do for marriage, but in actuality they should be one in the same. Never have a girlfriend or boyfriend just to have one, but make sure they are of marriage quality. I don’t mean just how cute they are, but what about their character, integrity, purity, trustworthiness. Think about how they treat others, and who have they dated before you. It is extremely important to take this part of your life seriously!

If you can’t find anyone that meets those standards, don’t lower your standards. Just wait! There is no rush. Often times teenagers feel that they have to be with someone. However, it is far better to be with no one than to settle for someone that you know you would never want to marry.

Don’t go out just to go out. Don’t have a relationship just to have one. Wait!

If you lower your standards for dating,
then eventually you will do
the same when it comes time to marry.

Keep your standards high until you find a person that fulfills them. The people who meet your standards may not be in your classroom, your school, or even your town right now. But they are out there, and you have a whole lifetime to find them.

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30)

—Trey Talley