Which one should I choose? Naturally as a daughter living in my father’s home I submit to his desires and methods, but that does not eliminate the necessity before God to understand biblically where I stand. As a young woman trying to establish my personal biblical beliefs I encounter many other young people and as we talk and share we quickly come to see that everyone has their own “Biblical Method” on the right way to handle guy/girl relationships prior to marriage. Let’s see.

Do I follow dating, courtship or betrothal guidelines? Then there’s meeting someone and just knowing he’s “the one” for you. So get married quickly and work the “minor” details out later. So, which method (if any) is sure-proof to please God with success guaranteed? “Do it this way and it will succeed.” “Their marriage failed because they did this and not that.” “Our children did exactly what we taught biblically and still they failed in a successful marriage.” Not only is all this confusing (because everyone usually has verses to back up their methods) but perhaps sometimes the bigger picture gets second, third, or last place.

Not long ago it was ME involved in a relationship. We “courted” and then became engaged. Everything went smooth and we were very sure God had brought us together. Until five weeks before our wedding date when everything came to a halt. God made it beyond obvious that it just wasn’t going to work. I learned so much from the whole experience and hopefully have grown up a lot. My conclusion: The most important key to success in a relationship is that BOTH individuals must have pleasing God as their #1 priority.

It can’t just be your parent’s conviction or something that is on your list, it must have FIRST place! I’ve realized that NO method will guarantee success unless God is first in both individuals hearts. This carries through to your whole life as well! It sounds so simple when written down on paper yet without this #1 priority our entire life will be a failure!

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”" Matt.19:26 “Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.” 1 Sam.2:30

I’ll end with a challenge, Let’s keep God #1!