Is ‘Ring By Spring’ A Healthy Outlook On Relationships?
Ring by spring” is a phenomenon at Christian colleges, one not exclusive to Liberty University, that supposes couples entering their senior year will be engaged by spring.
While this may seem like a joke, it is an all-too-real occurrence at Christian colleges. The question is, does “ring by spring” culture have a positive effect on Liberty’s campus?
While college isn’t all about finding a spouse before the clock strikes, many might feel the pressure to find their “perfect match” before receiving a diploma. Especially on a Christian campus, it may seem unheard of for someone to be content in their singleness.
The people of our culture have trouble feeling content in the season they are in. People want to know where you’re going to get a job after college. Your aunt wants to know when you’re going to make a catch in the dating pool. Your mom wants to know when you’ll get engaged. Once you’re finally married, grandma might ask when she’s getting great-grandchildren. There never seems to be time to reflect and sit in the current season God has prepared.
Two sides seem to have formed around this issue: those who pressure people to marry and those who protest against marriage. According to the Thriving Center of Psychology, 85% of millennials and Gen Zers don’t think marriage is necessary to have a fulfilled and committed relationship. Society tells couples not to get married young. The war on marriage is so evident in our culture, as society protests traditional gender roles and the sanctity of marriage.
Marriage exemplifies how Christ loves his bride, the church. God is to be served through companionship and love in marriage. Satan hates to see something so beautiful prevail, which is why one must choose their spouse carefully. Around 39% of marriages end in divorce, according to The Florida Probate & Family Law Firm.
That leads to the question: Should you participate in “ring by spring?” The answer depends on a few things. If you and your significant other have been dating for a few years and have a strong, biblical foundation, marriage might be the next step. Maybe you and your significant other have not been dating very long, and you’re scared of the unknown, post-graduate life.
Rushing into marriage because of infatuation, pressure or fear is not a smart move. The job field after graduating can be scary. You might be thinking, “I’m not sure what I’m going to do after graduation. Maybe marriage will fix this.” But what if God has a different plan for you? Maybe he wants you to bask in this season and dive into all he has for you.
What if God wants you to work on your relationship with your significant other and build a stronger foundation before marriage? There’s a list of reasons why marriage is a good thing, but there are also reasons why God may want you to wait.
Matthew 6:25 says, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”
Whatever season you are in, God has a great plan for you. A spring engagement might be God’s next step for you. If so, dive into all the Lord has for you. But if God wants you to wait a little longer, there’s no need to worry. He has you in the waiting for a reason.
Denny is an opinion writer for the Liberty Champion.