Love Dare

So far, this has not exactly been a year of extensive blog-posting.  Only one post each in March and April, and I'm guessing this will be the only one for May.  I created this blog as a venue to share what God is currently teaching me in life, and these past few months have been a spiritually dry spell for me.  I've been busy with school and even when I do make time for God I just don't connect.  But even though that's not very exciting (it's actually pretty frustrating sometimes), it merits a blog post because this is where I'm at right now.

I just watched the movie Fireproof (from Sherwood Pictures - shameless plug; I love their movies!) and it got me thinking.  During spiritually dry times, I think there are two main things going on.  One, the Christian has fallen out of the habit of spending regular time with God, and this leads to a tangible disconnect, and two, God is working on things in us and in our lives that we just can't see at the time.  In Fireproof, a couple is struggling in their marriage and the husband, who has fallen away from his faith, starts a challenge called the Love Dare.  For 40 days, he has to go through the motions of loving his wife even though he doesn't feel anything.  He refrains from negative comments, buys her flowers, and washes the dishes.  It takes weeks before any response is had from her.  But his challenge reminds me of a similar challenge I gave myself about a week ago.

Here's a journal snippet from May 19: "Okay, I'm going to do an experiment.   I'm going to do tent time [devotions] every day and see what happens.  I'm going to make a commitment, and actually go off by myself and do it.  I complain that I feel distant, and all the while I spend 10 minutes a week with You--of course it feels distant!"  Just like the Love Dare from the movie, I may not get anything out of it right away.  But God's commitment never changed.  He's always been waiting for me.  I'm the one who needs to decide and reprioritize and put Him first.  I still don't know how to do this exactly in every area of my life, but making an effort to set aside time for Him is one way to start.  Not just when I happen to have time or when I feel like it, but every single day.

Unfortunately, this experiment/challenge has gotten off to a poor start.  I wrote that entry and then proceeded to not have tent time until the 23rd--four days later.  But I'm not going to give up.  I'm not going to give myself slack anymore.  I want to have a more intimate relationship with God and skipping days will only harm that process.  I also need accountability, and while I will ask that from my family and friends, putting it on my blog is also great motivation.

If I really love God as I say I do, my actions need to show it.  I guess you could say this is my own version of the Love Dare.  Our walk with Christ is analogized many times to a marriage, so it really isn't that far off.

Fireproof ends with a song called While I'm Waiting, and as it floated around in my head after I shut the movie off I realized how applicable the lyrics are.  As I pursue God, I have faith that He will connect with me, even if nothing may happen right away.  And in the meantime, I will worship Him, serve Him, and seek Him.

While I'm waiting I will serve You

While I'm waiting I will worship

While I'm waiting I will not faint

I'll be running the race even while I wait

I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord

And I am peaceful, I'm waiting on You Lord

Though it's not easy no, but faithfully I will wait

Yes, I will wait

And I will move ahead bold and confident

Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting I will serve You

While I'm waiting I will worship

While I'm waiting I will not faint

I'll be running the race even while I wait