The other night, I had the most romantic dance with the most amazing guy. I was alone in my room, the lighting was low, and the shadows on the wall reminded me of a song I had danced to long ago. My heart longed to return to that moment. So I did. I began gently swaying to the melody in my soul when I had one of those “Once Upon A Dream” moments. Suddenly, I realized that I was not alone. It was one of those moments when God’s Presence was so strongly evident that I could hardly breathe. And something about that Presence makes me want to dance. I went from swaying in His gentle embrace to spinning in the wonder of His love. And of all the dances I’ve ever shared with Jesus, this was without a doubt the most amazing, spiritual, romantic moment we have ever shared. By the time that dance ended, there were not two beings in that room, but One. Jesus and I had become One. I hope that doesn’t sound crazy to you.
I’m suddenly in this intensely passionate, romantic relationship with Jesus. Not that I wasn’t before, but every relationship has its high places and its low places, and I’m back in one of those high places right now. The flame in my heart has been rekindled as I came to this realization:
- Jesus and I are One.
- He arouses every sense I have (including a few I didn’t know about).
- We have “a song.”
- I can call on Him whenever I need Him.
- Not only does He know me, but He “gets” me. He understands the things no one else does.
God has filled every need I would naturally attempt to find in a relationship, and I think it was meant to be this way. I’ve heard single girls say that they are sick of hearing people say that Jesus is a substitute for a husband, and I can emphasize with that. The married women all get to be The Bride of Christ too, so the whole “Jesus replacement” thing just isn’t cutting it. But I’m more tired of hearing that statement put the other way around. I’m tired of seeing people turn their husband, or boyfriend, or “significant other” into a substitute for a relationship with Jesus. Maybe it’s not that people are trying to cram God into your “guy-hole,” but that you are trying to cram a guy into your “God-hole.”
I recently read a Christian dating book in which the author stated, “I’m tired of ‘dating Jesus’ …and I think the feeling is mutual.” I cringed. I understood the point she was trying to make. It was the whole “Jesus is not a substitute for a man” argument all over again. But I don’t think Jesus gets tired of “dating” you. The Bible tells us over and over again that God is a jealous God. Why would He ever tire of spending time with you? And while it’s okay to want a “real” date every once in awhile, don’t let it consume you. A man will never be able to fill both your guy-hole and your God-hole. But God… Well, He’s big enough to handle both of them. So lose yourself in the magic and wonder of His dance.