Date Night with Jesus

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OverviewNot to be irreverent, but we’d do well to schedule a date night with Jesus.

There’s plenty of room for this imagery—the Bible is full of rich symbolism describing the Church as Christ’s bride. Paul even says that marriage is about how Jesus loves us. The intensity and depth of God’s love only begins to gestured towards by human romance. Strangely, however, while we’d make clear room in our schedule to simply be with our husband or wife, or with a person we’re dating, we forget to make room to simply be with Jesus.

This practice is similar to other forms of spending time with God, but the “date night” imagery is important: it means that, as we set aside an evening to be with Jesus, we intend to enjoy it with Him. This isn’t drudgery or duty; it’s romance and joy.

For more from the Bible, look at Ephesians 5:25–32; Revelation 19:4–8; Hosea 2:14–20; John 15:1–11.

For a 3-minute video introduction to practices, visit www.fbcslo.org/pages/online-resources

PracticingThe idea of a “date night with Jesus” might be foreign and odd at first. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Schedule an evening ahead of time that you will take aside to be with Jesus. Put it in your calendar, and keep it like you’d keep any appointment

• Don’t try to make the time too “spiritual.” Part of the reason for using this imagery is to help you re-think what it means to spend time with Jesus. Sitting and reading your Bible all evening might be right, but it might just keep you feeling at an arm’s distance from God if you’re approaching it as a duty.

• Instead, think about what brings you great delight. What experience would you want to share with someone deeply beloved? A concert? A nice meal? A walk on the beach? A bike ride? Plan a time of joy.

• As much as you can, enter into this time with a mind on the fact that Jesus is with you. Invite him in as you begin; throughout the evening, return to being mindful of him when you realize that you’ve forgotten. (You might find it helpful to have some kind of physical reminder of his presence: a small cross in your pocket, an empty chair next to you, a candle lit on the table, etc.)

• A central part of the evening might be talking with Jesus. Again, don’t try to be too “religious.” Instead, share with him what is on your heart. What are you excited about? Afraid of? What is confusing, or giving you hope? You could write, if that helps you direct these thoughts more easily. Leave time to listen, as well—plenty of it. You may be surprised how clearly Jesus speaks when we quiet down for him.

• Keep your eyes open. Jesus may want to surprise you. He did, after all, invent romance, and it is not beyond him to bring something that is meant to delight just you and express his heart for you. That butterfly, or friendly cat, or beauti-ful sunset, or cool breeze, might be meant just for you. Be watchful!

• Don’t rush. Don’t worry about homework, or your job, or the bills. Intentionally set all these things aside, and just be present. (This might take some time, and that’s okay.)