I'm not an expert on this topic because I'm not married yet and in fact, once in my life, i almost entered into a marriage plan that is not God's will for me (but i thank God that he saved me from it.)
I'm here to share what i've learned from my daily reading of God's word. As a student of the word of God, i've learned that if God is leading you to that person to be your future partner, then go for it, if not, then don't.
In Genesis 24:50-51, we can read there: "Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the LORD; we can say nothing to you one way or the other. Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, as the LORD has directed ."
God will direct us even to the right person we're going to marry. If we would constantly pray and read His word, we would know in our hearts if God is directing us to that person in marriage or not.
God may be speaking to us in different ways but we should always include God in choosing the right mate for us. I know some people whom God has spoken to their hearts when they met their future mates...words like "That will be your wife."..or "that will be your husband" (even if they haven't fallen in love with each other yet or haven't known each other that well yet.) I'm very fascinated with that kind of love story but that is not always the case. Sometimes, it's love at first sight like what happened to Adam and Eve and sometimes God would direct you to the qualities that you really admire or see in that person..the qualities you've been praying for to have in your future partner.
We can not put God in a box. I have friends who met their partners in life through online dating (but caution is also needed in this kind of dating or searching for your future partner.) Other marriage began in friendship. Whatever that situation is, if God is leading you to that person to be your future partner...go for it! Don't say one way or the other. Just go for it! A constant prayer and reading of God's word will help you in the direction God wants you for that relationship. In my first relationship, it took me almost four years to really follow God's direction that that man is not his will for my life (if i followed Him at first, it would have not caused me so much pain in my heart.) When the relationship was finally ended, God gave me a promise that He has a better plan for my life.
What God is telling you in your present relationship? Is He directing you to that person in marriage?...then go for it, but if not, be humble before God, ask for his direction everyday in your prayer time and read His word and allow Him to direct you. He knows the best for you and me.
P.S
This was the poem i originally composed for that relationship of mine which i also posted on my other blog site:
An Utmost Prayer of Love
I feel something for you
with what i feel for you
I just commit it to the Lord
And to Him,I've committed you
My utmost prayer for you:
"May you be in-love with Him deeply
and give your heart to Him completely"
I love you...i know i do
But this love is up to God and what He will do
If its His will for me and you to become one
He will make your heart and mine one
And if this is God's will, His will will prevail....
That one day, i will be yours and you will be mine
and our love for each other will never fail
and i trust God will make a way
May we know Him more as we ask His guidance so divine
And really know His Will as we faithfully abide in the VINE
And if we are really for each other
He will cause us to be together
From this day forward i believe God will prepare a way for us to be together
And to enjoy the beautiful future He has planned for us to be together
May God's angels be commissioned- as what they are called to do
To protect us on our way...to exchanging our "I do"
And as we look forward to that time
May my name be engraved in your heart and yours in mine
May each of us know that we are really the ones God has meant to be..
......through prayers
......through circumstances
......through the people around us
......and through the powerful word and the Spirit of the Living God.
And we will boldly say to each other before we exchange "I do"
These powerful and comforting words "I love you, yes I do"
But if there would be better than you to become my partner
I would just look back to this time and feeling and say,
"Thank God , i've met you and uttered my prayer for you..
To be more in love with Him and be faithful in His word and in prayer"
And if there would be someone better than i to become your partner,
I would just look back to this time and feeling and say:
"Thank God, He gave me an opportunity to love you
and prayed the best for you."
