Words to Grow On
At the end of time, when all history culminates in the final pages of the Bible, what will we find God doing? Spending time with His children. Making His home with them. Being together. GARY CHAPMAN
Set the Scene
Celebrate God’s constant presence with an unusual day out. We call it the “Get Lost Date,” but it’s really more of a “Random Destination Date.” Rather than heading for a familiar restaurant, coffee shop, or park, take a road less traveled toward a destination you know nothing about. Select a route on a whim, and make an adventure of getting “lost” together. As you make your way toward an unfamiliar destination, celebrate God’s nearness.
Make It Happen
Giving someone instructions on how to get lost seems like an oxymoron. Yet the more creativity you put into the date, the more you’ll both enjoy it. One option is to print out a map of your state (or of your county, if you’d prefer to stay closer to home). Close your eyes and mark a point on the map with a pencil. Make that your destination. Another option is to make up a set of random directions. When you hit the road, try to follow the directions as closely as you can. See where you end up. Once you reach your destination, explore the surroundings. Walk around. Take in the sights. If you’re in a populated area, interact with the locals. See if you can learn something new.
Obviously we can’t recommend something as radical as getting lost without following up with some obligatory safety precautions. Follow the spirit-but not necessarily the letter-of the rules. If your first coordinates lead you to some risky terrain or a dangerous area, alter them. Trust your instincts. If a place doesn’t feel right, go somewhere else. Make sure your car is up to the task. Check your gas, tires, and fluids before you get lost. If weather conditions are bad, save this idea for another day. Pack a first-aid kit along with an ample supply of food, water, and blankets. Make sure your phones are charged in case of emergency. (Avoid really getting lost-use a GPS or map out your return trip home.) Once you’ve sketched out your itinerary, share it with a friend or family member. Make sure someone knows where you’re heading and how you’re getting there.
Finish Strong
Before you end your Get Lost Date, spend a few minutes talking together about the experience and what you’ll take away from it. Use the following questions as needed to guide your discussion:
Were you fearful or apprehensive at all during this date? If so, how did it feel knowing we were together? How does it feel knowing God is always with us? Was there anything that surprised you during this date? Was there an interesting person we met today who you’ll always remember?
Mind Your Language
If your date’s primary love language is Quality Time, make sure your excursion is filled with it. Share with each other times when you felt lost- physically, spiritually, or emotionally. What were the triggers? How did you deal with your feelings? How did the people around you react? How did God make His presence felt during that time? What did you take away from the experience?
Take It to God
Before your date, read David’s words in Psalm 139:7 aloud together: “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!” Spend some time in prayer, thanking God that what was true for David is true for you, too. Ask God to give you safe travels to and from your destination; bless your efforts to bond with each other; help you develop a deeper appreciation for His continuous presence.
Dig Deep
Want to check out some more passages that talk about God’s continuous presence in the lives of those who serve Him? Try these:
Exodus 33:14
Joshua 1:9
Psalm 16:11
Psalm 51:11
Psalm 140:13
Devotional reading from The Love Languages Devotional Bible, page 1346
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