"Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires." -(Song of Songs 2:7b)

There is one common mistake made in relationships: bad timing. The right thing at the wrong time is still not right.

The most common flaw of our culture today is impatience. We are plagued by a selfish desire to have what we want as soon as possible. Every business strives to be fast and accessible to please the customer. Unfortunately this mind set of immediate gratification has found it's way into how we treat dating relationships.

Solomon wasn't normally the best at waiting either. He was known for his many wives and luxuries. But in the book of Song of Songs we read how Solomon at least got it right one time. By God's grace Solomon was given the opportunity to have a right relationship with a woman even after all the mistakes he had made. You may have made mistakes already in relationships and failed to be patient with love. Perhaps you have regret and a sense that things will never be pure again. If God can give Solomon a second chance to do things right, we can stand on the promise of I John 1:9 that God can forgive us and purify us.

We cannot escape the consequences of our sinful or impure decisions but through the grace of God we can have another chance to do it God's way. God's way for relationships is the best way. It is the only way that will bring true satisfaction and joy. Doing relationships our way only ends in a mess. We must decided to seek God again for his wisdom and truth in how to love according to his word and to wait on his timing.

One central truth to the relationship Solomon had with the Shulamite woman was that they committed to wait until their marriage to arouse or awaken anything beyond a friendship. They spent their time together outdoors in the light for all to hold them accountable. They did not involve themselves sexually. They made it a point to rid their relationship of temptations, and impurity.

Don't fall into the lie of our culture that relationships are about having fun and doing whatever feels good. Don't arouse a love in a dating relationship that is meant to wait for marriage. Make your focus not on getting closer physically and emotionally to the person your dating, but make it your goal to get closer to God. Make purity and patience your priorities and you will receive God's best in the long run.

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." - (Psalm 119:9-11)

-Josh