As I sat on the roof overlooking the mountains of Haiti and the Caribbean blue bay off in the distance, I felt God whisper these words to me during my morning quiet time.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, my Beloved.”
What a beautiful sentiment.
“I’m looking forward to spending the day with Jesus!” I promptly wrote in my journal.
How fitting that Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday this year during my World Race!
As a 30 year-old, I’m going against the “social norm” and I’m often asked why I’m not married yet or reminded of how my “biological clock is ticking.” But I’ve made a commitment and dedicated this year of my life to following Jesus more closely than I ever have before. I’ve set aside any notions or desires for romantic love, so as to be wholeheartedly pursuing and serving God.
I serve the author of time and I’m trusting in His perfect timing and will for me.
All of us here are.
“Show me more of you today, Jesus,” I prayed, “I wish to see you.”
With that, we all got ready for church. Dressed in our Sunday best, our whole squad walked the Mission of Hope campus from the dormitories to the church on the property at the bottom of the hill. As we approached we could already hear the music from the worship band getting started. Everyone was there! All of the MOH staff and visitors as well as the entire community of Titanyen! Around 700-800 people attend this church for service on Sundays!
Church of Hope, Mission of Hope Campus, Titanyen, Haiti
As we all stood to begin worship, they were singing the song “One Thing Remains” and I was immediately overcome with emotion. (Or as I like to refer to it… I was “sweating from my eyeballs.”) It was just such a beautiful sight and notion that we were all singing the exact same song to the Lord, in both English and Creole at the same time. I then had this image of what it will be like in Heaven. I’d always pictured us all there in constant song and worship to the Lord, but never thought about the fact that we all won’t be singing in the same language. Mind blown. 🙂
In that moment it was just so special, how our hearts are all the same and so is God’s love for us.
The next song they played was completely in Creole so I couldn’t really understand it or sing along, but as I closed my eyes and swayed to the music, I couldn’t help but be completely immersed in worship. All of the sudden I began to have this image of me dancing with Jesus. But not just the hand-in-hand, swinging around in big circles kind of dancing, but intimate, slow, and swaying.
The image I kept getting was that of Him holding me close, dipping me, and staring into my eyes as if to say “I see you. I choose you. I love you.” We were smiling and laughing like a flashback scene you would see in a movie of a married couple on their wedding day.
It was incredible. And honestly, probably the first time I have ever experienced Jesus in this way. He loves me. Intimately. He cares for me and cherishes me. He wants to be with me and fulfill my needs and desires so that I don’t feel alone or that I’m lacking.
I felt worthy, loved, and whole.
It was an incredible image and portrait of Jesus that I won’t soon forget.
Thank you God for this amazing Valentine’s Day gift!
“Jesus, I am so in love with you!…”
View of the bay from the rooftop at Mission of Hope.
**Due to inconsistent internet access. Some blogs may be posted a while after originally written. 🙂
