Is There a Godly Way to Date during Quarantine?

Establish a united prayer life. The world needs prayer now more than ever. Prayer deepens our bond with others and can bring you closer together. Everyone everywhere has been affected in one way or another by COVID-19. Millions of people have lost wages, hundreds of thousands have become ill and, sadly, even died. Anxiety is on the rise as we’re blitzed by more bad news than good. It leaves us feeling helpless. And if we’re not intentional about staying connected, quarantine leaves a residue of loneliness and isolation. But we have hope in God.

This is the perfect time to pray with your mate. Prayer allows each of you to open up about what you’re grateful for while being transparent about the requests you’re laying before God. Matthew 18:19 says, “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven” (NIV).

Choose to study the Bible together. Select a Bible study that fits you both, perhaps one that addresses hardships. There are plenty to pick from in print and online. You can decide whether or not to read the Bible verses separately but be sure to have joint discussion.

You’ll get to hear your mate’s stance on a variety of topics first-hand. This will shed light on what you agree on as well as help you expand on areas where you disagree, which can lead to further dialogue.

Praying and immersing yourselves in Scripture will help build a strong spiritual foundation. One that can strengthen your bond as a couple, and one that honors God. Thankfully, technology allows us to communicate while respecting health guidelines. Be sure to call one another or use video chats like Zoom, Google Hangouts, FaceTime, or Skype to keep your connection intact during these trying times.

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Times of crisis make it easier to identify what really matters. Schedules have streamlined and people around the world are using this time to declutter their homes and lifestyles. Dating is about finding a partner and laying a foundation with the person you’ll share your life with. Establishing your footing as a couple during good times, when nothing bad occurs, makes it difficult to know how to navigate the storms of life when hardships come.

This is the ideal time to unashamedly have tough conversations with your mate. Philippians 1:20 states, “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death” (NIV). And this extends to your dating life.

You’ll honor Christ with your honesty. Make time to speak candidly about heavy topics like health issues, family matters, savings, job security, past relationships, what you look for in a spouse and more. Today’s events allow you to communicate with a certain level of vulnerability. And that can lead to an authentic exchange, full of grace, that you might not have otherwise.

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God is the ultimate gift giver. And gift-giving is an internationally recognized custom used to express love and appreciation. Romans 12:13 says, “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” (ESV). This worldwide catastrophe gives you a chance to identify and help meet the needs of your mate.

Consider having a meal, household items, or groceries delivered to their door. Track down that hard to find item and buy it for your date. Order flowers, a candy bouquet, a homemade craft, or another pick-me-up to lift their spirits. Mail them a card, a devotional, prayer journal, or send them a note.

You’ll have to get creative while social distancing but use this time to discover new ways to practice hospitality.

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We self-quarantine and maintain a distance of at least six feet apart in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus. While this rules out a lot of activities, it doesn’t have to keep us from seeing the people we care about.

Solomon declared in Song of Solomon Chapter 4:1, “Behold, you are beautiful, my love, behold, you are beautiful! Your eyes are doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from the hills of Gilead” (NIV). This is a great example of a person that excitedly absorbed the very look of his mate.

It’s unwise to congregate, but we can still make seeing each other a priority. Social media is flooded with examples of people hosting parades, meeting each other in parking lots (while respecting their distance), and displaying signs while talking through windows.

Refuse to allow this pandemic to keep you from laying eyes on one another.

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These are unprecedented times. There have been mass layoffs, graduations have been canceled and businesses closed. It’s forced people to find innovative ways to connect. In response we’ve seen drop off baby showers, mini weddings, people working from home, and teachers facilitating online classes.

And the church isn’t far off. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to “... consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (NIV).

While stay orders and health guidelines can keep us from meeting in person, we can still attend church virtually. Technology makes it possible for couples to worship together, have communion, give generously, and learn from sermons through Watch Parties and Church Online. Thousands of churches are broadcasting their services, live, on the web.

Make it a habit to attend church while dating. Honor God, knit worshipping Him into the fabric of your relationship, and it will carry through long after restrictions are lifted.

So is there a Godly way to date during quarantine? In short, yes, there is. With a lot of thought and creativity, you can successfully date in a wholesome way that puts God first.

The unpredictability brought on by this virus breeds fear. We worry about spreading the virus. Tensions rise over finances. We struggle with separation anxiety. And we fear the unknown.

But 1 John 4:18 states, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (NIV).

History is being made. There has never been anything like this. So know that it is okay to feel anxious during quarantine. But you don’t have to put your dating life on hold because of it. If anything, these uncertain times have provided unique opportunities to solidify a godly courtship and find peace and encouragement in one another.

Victoria Mejias is an international speaker and blogger. She is a graduate of the University of Nebraska – Omaha and holds a Certificate in Urban Ministries from the Dallas Theological Seminary’s Urban Ministry Institute. She is a contributing member of Wholly Loved Ministries and former Pastor who has spoken on leadership, diversity, spirituality and faith. Victoria is the recipient of two U.S. Congressional awards for her exemplary service to the community, has two children, loves the Lord and reaching the lost. To learn more, visit her online at www.victoriaelizabeth.com.

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