A Fresh Start

Song of Solomon 2:11-12

“For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.”

After a long, cold, dark winter, spring always feels like a fresh start. As Solomon acknowledges in scripture, the rain comes and then is gone, the flowers are blooming, and the birds are singing–anything is possible! In a practical sense, springtime is a great time to focus on your dating life because the days are longer, the weather is warmer, and there are more opportunities for fun, engaging outdoor activities to get to know someone new (we share six first date ideas for spring at the end of the devotional!).

But spring is more than a season of new beginnings–it can also provide hope for a fresh start if you feel like you’ve been in the “winter months” of your dating life. Springtime is a gentle reminder that no matter how long the winter may seem, new opportunities are always waiting on the other side. In the same way, no matter how hard, challenging, or stagnant your dating life may feel, God can refresh your heart and mind, giving new life to your relationships.

God is the God of new beginnings. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) states: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This means no matter what you’ve done in the past–whether in relation to your dating life or something else–it is forgiven and washed clean through repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as King of your heart and life.

As we move into spring, I encourage you to remember the new life you have in Christ and live and date in a way that honors and glorifies God. Start today with this prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for making a way and forgiving my sins through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Because of Him, I am not bound by my past sins but am offered a fresh start with You. As I think about this, please help me experience a fresh start in my dating life. You know my desire to find a partner, and I ask that You would be with me and guide me in this season, bringing an end to the “winter” of my dating journey.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.