My Date

So, I have been single for about a year now after being in a long relationship. Family and Friends constantly ask the infamous question single people get, "Is there anyone special in your life?" or "Are you seriously dating anyone?" Either these questions are asked or some type of hybrid. These questions are quite harmless really, but can be troublesome when asked weekly.

I've got a solution.

The Holy Spirit gave me His solution while I was driving - ok, probably speeding - the 20 minute drive to NewSpring's Anderson campus. The drive usually consists of me jamming to some music from my ipod or radio, and talking with the Lord. This particular morning I was jamming to some Lenny Kravitz from my ipod and talking to the Lord about whatever came to mind. What came to mind was the question of dating. Am I weird for not having a serious relationship? No. Should I seek out trying to date seriously? Not right now. Do I get lonely sometimes from not having someone I can always call who knows what I like and dislike? Yes. As I was driving and pondering these questions with the Lord, the song " I Belong to You" (by Kravitz) came through the speakers.

Here's a taste of it:

"You are the flame in my heart
You light my way in the dark
You are the ultimate star

You lift me from up above
Your unconditional love
Takes me to paradise

I belong to you
And you
You belong to me too

You make my life complete
You make me feel so sweet

You make me feel so divine
Your soul and mind are entwined
Before you I was blind

But since I've opened my eyes
And with you there's no disguise
So I could open up my mind

I always loved you from the start
But I could not figure out
That I had to do it everyday

So I put away the fight
Now I'm gonna live my life
Giving you the most in every way

I belong to you
And you
You belong to me too

You make my life complete
You make me feel so sweet"

Whether Lenny Kravitz meant it or not, this song screams Jesus to me. The Holy Spirit opened my mind to these lyrics, what they were saying, and spoke to me through them. As I was singing them (badly, mind you) the Holy Spirit said,

"This is me and you. This is what we should have. This is your story. Know me like a lover. You should sing this to me, then a woman."

So I sang it to Him.

I had always been uncomfortable with that, knowing the Lord like a lover. Anytime someone said it, it made me feel funny. BUT my eyes have been opened. After starting "The Shack" (its a book, you should read it.) my mind has been opened to what Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit are, and the different relationship it is to have with Him. At first - when I became saved - I was the kid who had a descent relationship with Jesus. Then I was the kid who spiritually ran from God, all along knowing Jesus was the Messiah, but wanting nothing to do with reading the Bible, and everything to do with arguing with Him. Now I'm seeking Jesus. Seeking a deeper relationship. Seeking intimacy with Him. Daily giving myself to Him, putting down the fight, and living for Him. I don't have it anywhere near right, that's why the Holy Spirit spoke to me in my car, and with "I Belong to You."

Fast Forward my day and press stop on me reading 1 Corinthians 13 late that night. This is icing on the cake that only Jesus and the Holy Spirit could do. If you are not aware, 1 Corinthians 13 speaks about Love. How Paul says to do anything without love is pointless. But not a love that this world would mistakenly define as love. Here's what he says:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a

Love never fails only when it has Jesus in it. I'm not saying all relationship that aren't soley with Jesus fail. For example, I can't have a girlfriend because it will fail because she's not Jesus. No, what I am saying is that I must first have an intimate relationship with Jesus, continually seeking Him, and then I would be able to date in the way God means for us to. With dating, the guy and the young lady should see and experience Jesus from the other. How could we do that without seeking Jesus and an intimate relationship with Him?

Let me make this plain and simple.

You can't.