If you know me, you are probably laughing to yourself at the title of this blog, trying to recount the last time I actually went on a date. (You are probably laughing even harder thinking back to the time I actually went on a good date.)
If you don’t know me well, you are probably confused because I should not be dating this close to launch. Adventures in Missions kindly asks Racers to refrain from dating during our time on this life changing journey so we won’t miss out on what God has planned for us, and I joyfully follow this guideline.
But just because I cannot date doesn’t mean I can’t be pursued. In fact, the more I step away from the focus of dating, the more I realize how much God pursues my heart. I get lost in daydreams of God pulling me in close as we slowly dance, waltzing around the room to a song He created only for my ears to hear. He kisses me on the forehead and as He tucks my hair behind my ear whispers that He loves me.
But up until Training Camp, this had just been a daydream, a longing for intimacy with the Lord. During the last night of worship with the first band, we cleared all of our chairs from the pavilion, giving us more room to worship. My hips swayed as my lips sang His praises, but my heart cried out for more. I felt like I was dancing alone. I wanted to feel God come along side of me, tell me He was proud and that He loved me. I wanted to be breathlessly moved by emotion. But instead, I felt alone; I could not figure out why God did not want to dance with me.
Just when I was losing the hope to make this connection, one of our squad leaders came up to me and placed her hand on my shoulder, beginning to pray over me. She said, “God is speaking to me in a song,” and she began reciting a 30 line song that was so pure and beautiful. (And it rhymed!) At the end of the song, she gently said, “God is waiting to dance with you.” Tears began to sting my eyes as a whirlwind of emotion welled up inside my soul. She ran her hand up and down my back as she whispered in my ear, “God loves you and He is so proud of you.” The tears began streaming down my face as the reality of God’s love overwhelmed my heart.
Every since that night, I have become more aware of the ways God is pursuing and the moments He creates just for me. He has raised my standards for the way men treat me, and has made me more aware of the quality of man He will provide for me when His timing is right. I don’t need to search for this man, either! God will place it on that man’s heart to pursue me. And boy oh boy! God has set a high standard for what it looks like to be pursued!
Take a moment and embrace your singleness. Learn from God what love looks like and build your relationship with Him first. Everything else will fall into place!
