Northwest Singles Conference 2005 - Breakout Session Summary

Make a date with god

This breakout session was presented as a drama. The setting is a college dorm room. The character is a young girl. She was intentionally left without a name because she is a collection of each of us during those times when we yearn to know what our hearts are really aching for.

Summary: (On the phone to her best friend.)

“Kelly, you won’t believe who talked to me today! –

No, not David. Remember? David’s history. No, this person works at Registration… --

Yes! Kyle! Oh my goodness! I just about melted! Those eyes of his… --

I know, I know. I would never dream of dating him. Like I have to worry about him even asking me. But I still like…I still like being around him. You know?—

Kelly, why am I so boy crazy? Why can’t I just be a normal college student trying to get a degree in something grand and noble? Why can’t I just focus on school and…”

What could be more exciting than talking to the boy you have a crush on? What could be more disappointing than knowing your convictions keep you from having a date? Life can seem difficult for a young college girl on a secular campus. The Christian guy options are few and far between. But there has to be more to it. Is a guy really what she needs? Is that what’s going to make her happier?

One evening, standing in front of her bookcase looking for something “inspirational” to read, she comes across her old journal. The last entry is dated over a year ago. She opens at the beginning and starts to read.

She’s just turned sixteen and she’s a brand new Christian. Her aunt and grandma are very supportive, but her mother and brother want nothing to do with God. She’s determined to live for Him, though, and each tough time just seems to make her stronger. She loses some of her friends, her brother runs away, her mom is put in the hospital…one thing after another but she holds on to her new faith.

She stops reading and slowly closes the journal, realizing what’s happened. God isn’t important in her life like He used to be. Oh sure, she goes to church, she listens to Christian music, she doesn’t drink or do drugs—but it’s all out of obligation. She knows what to do but she’s forgotten why. She decides that night that God is going to be priority again. She’s going to let Him be her King and Father.

What she’s about to find out is that God’s not interested in just being her King and Father. He wants to take hold of another place in her. He wants to steal her heart away on an intimate and passionate adventure.

She picks up a newly released book at the Christian bookstore one day. Inspired by this new book, she begins to discover all over in the Bible places that tell of God’s extreme love for her. Not just a God kind of love or a dad kind of love. Not just a friend kind of love, but a fiancé kind of love. Jesus Christ is in love with her! He wants a very intimate and personal relationship with her.

She starts to understand why she was so restless, so hungry, so dissatisfied. It was God! He was leading her into the dessert. He was taking her to a place where He could whisper tenderly and she would be able to hear. He had to take all the distractions, all the cravings, all the excitement and bring her to a place that seemed hopeless before she would see that He was her only hope.

Is it possible that the way she’s always felt about Kyle, the way her heart skips a beat, her hands get sweaty, she gets all excited…does God feel that way about her?!

Day by day, as the school year continues, she begins to fall in love with this new side of God she’s never known before. But life doesn’t become easy because of it. Several weeks later, Kyle asks her to accompany him to a school function! She never dreamed of him really being interested in her! Now what?

She struggles with what to tell him. God has become her everything. She knows Kyle isn’t walking with God. Can she really let go of this crush and cling to God to be everything she needs?

Conclusion:
What have you been filling your life with? Are you hoping that as soon as you meet “the One” that all your problems and sadness will disappear?

Let me tell you…you’ve already met “the One”! His name is Jesus and He’s ready to dive head first into a deep and passionate relationship with you. He’s had His eyes on you for a long time. He’s been pursuing you, trying to win you over.

I think it’s easy for us to see God as a king. He created the universe. He deserves to be king. A lot of us can even see God as father. He’s protective, keeps us on the straight and narrow.

But a lover? Our fiancé? That’s a lot different!

Because a king, you don’t have to spend time with. You can live under a monarchy your whole life and if you never meet the king, well…he’s still your king.

And the same with a father. For those who grew up with a dad, you can decide to leave home and never return. If you never talk to your dad again, he’s still your dad.

But a lover…if you don’t spend quality time all the time, well…pretty soon you’re not lovers anymore.

God’s deepest desire is for you to reach out and love Him as much as He’s loved you.

I challenge you to approach God like you would that cute girl in chemistry class. Approach God like that guy you’ve been admiring at church, the one that finally talked to you last weekend. Imagine this person you’ve been admiring walks up to you one day. Is your first thought, “Gee, I hope they hurry. I don’t have time to chit chat. I have a lot of stuff to get done.” No! You’d toss life aside if only to spend some time with this person.

That’s how it should be with God! That’s how He feels about you!

I challenge you to show God that same enthusiasm. Be excited about hanging out with your First Love. It won’t be long and you’ll realize what real love is all about.

A lot of times, as singles, we think we’re missing out on something because we don’t have a boyfriend. We don’t have a wife. Guess what…we are missing out! We’re missing out on a great opportunity to get to know the Creator of the universe in a one-on-one relationship.
Make a date with God. Start hanging out, share secrets, go on romantic getaways. Yes, romantic getaways with God! He asked you out a long time ago. He’s been waiting for you to say yes.

Suggested Reading Material:

When God Writes Your Love Story, By Eric and Leslie Ludy

Sassy, Single and Satisfied: Secrets to Loving the Life You’re Living, By Michelle McKinney Hammond

Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul, By John and Stasi Eldredge

The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate, By Gary Chapman

Single and Gifted, By Jeffrey Brown

Smart Love: A Field Guide for Single Adults, By Nancy Van Pelt

Note from the Author: My apologies to those who attended this breakout session at the Northwest Singles Conference 2005 and wondered why we got out so early. I was confused on the time, thinking we were going late, when we actually had ample time left over! There were some parts left out of the presentation that are included in this summary.

Also, I had some books that I wanted to give away during the session. I still have them and would still like to give them away. They had a huge influence in helping me find contentment in God. Email me at mel_59725@hotmail.com. I’d love to hear your story.