THE VAULT: MUSIC
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
dating: Get to know god first:
MARIA LONG
Jen G: As a Christian young woman, did you find your parents’ relationship to be something you modeled your own after? Once you started dating and met your husband-to-be, what were you looking for that you found in him?
Maria Long: Yes! He loved God more than me. I had dated guys who put me first before anything. He’s the first guy I knew who really had God first. I knew if he did, then I could trust him with my life because he would always make decisions based on God’s standards and not man’s.
“I knew who I was marrying, and we are best friends. I think it’s definitely important to marry someone who loves Christ the way you do.” — Maria Long
Jen G: How did you know that he was really putting God first? Because some guys talk a good talk. What in his walk proved that?
Maria Long: Well, this is funny, but we had a psychology class together at night for like three hours. We took about 10 pages of notes. I hated that class! All you had to do to prove you were there was sign this sheet with your name. So one night I wasn’t feeling well and just really didn’t want to go, so I asked him to sign my name. He said, “I can’t.” I even got mad at him. I was like, “Ryan, it isn’t a big deal!” He said it was dishonest and that it was lying. He didn’t do it!
Jen G: Wow!
Maria Long: I knew that if he wouldn’t lie for me, then he was never going to lie to me!
Jen G: You two were dating at that point?
Maria Long: Yes, for one year.
Jen G: Now that is impressive!
Maria Long: I think so!
Jen G: He wasn’t interested in pleasing you but in being right with the Lord. Do you think it’s important for Christian singles to pursue friendships first and to date fellow believers? If so, why?
Maria Long: I definitely think people rush into things so much these days. There is value in getting to know a person and the people in their lives—their family, their friends. All of those things say something about that person. The people who develop their friendships first and become best friends, I believe, have better communication throughout their marriage. I also think they know what they’re getting into more. Ryan and I dated for five years, and I knew him. I knew who I was marrying, and we are best friends. I think it’s definitely important to marry someone who loves Christ the way you do. So many marriages I see struggle because of that, and then they add kids into the mix. There is so much confusion. God says for us not to be unequally yoked.
Jen G: Most people marry a stranger first. I guess the question is, in today’s society, the media and even the people in our lives put an emphasis on having to be in a relationship. Many times we, as females, allow the lack of—or even having—a boyfriend to define our value and worth. How would you advise other young ladies who are either involved with a guy they’re not sure about or have the desire to get involved with one?
Maria Long: I would say get to know God first because He is where you get your value. I also think that when you truly have God in your life, people find that desirable. I tell most teenagers, “You like this boy or girl? Well, get to know God. Fall in love with Him, and then watch people start to be drawn to you because that’s what God does in us!”
Jen G: Amen! I almost feel like I’m in church!
Maria Long: I tell teen boys all the time, “If you want to be irresistible, get to know God!”
Jen G: I’m telling you, nothing is better than a guy who knows how to pray!