Revelations from Date Night

So I watched the movie Date Night last night. I’d had a long day of workshop and ministry life, and I was exhausted by 7pm. But that’s too early to go to bed, so I made dinner and watched a few episodes of Friends and read a chapter of a book. I didn’t even play guitar, because that would take too much brainpower (even reading the book was a bit too much work). Around 9pm, I knew it was still a little too early for sleep, or else I’d be up by 5:30am (which I was this morning), so I started the movie.

The film opens with a married couple, Tina Fey and Steve Carell, going about their busy daily lives…disciplining kids, getting them ready for school, work, meetings, etc. Not only do those activities take up all their time, but it’s all they ever talk about, as well. When Steve gets home at the end of the day, he flops down on the couch, and his son asks him to play Legos. Exhausted, he tells his son to let him rest a few minutes before he plays. The couple is so busy and tired they totally forget it’s date night until the babysitter shows up to take care of the kids.

Watching Tina and Steve’s lives, I was amazed and amused at how much I could relate to them. Going home to 14 girls after a long day of workshop and meetings and appointments and whatever else happens between 8am and 3pm is not the most relaxing experience. I can’t even count the times I’ve had to turn down requests to play or watch movies because I was so tired.

Steve and Tina’s date that night was less than spectacular – nothing to talk about, no dessert, and still an early bedtime. I found myself somewhat grateful to be here without a husband because of the toll this lifestyle could take on our marriage.

But then this morning, as I rolled out of bed long before anyone else was awake (I passed out about halfway through the movie so my plan failed me) and read my daily devotional about faith without actions, I began to realize how my relationship with God had begun to suffer because of my tiredness.

For your Maker is your husband – the Lord Almighty is his name – the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. Isaiah 54:5

God is my husband, and too often I have been too tired to spend meaningful time with Him. My morning quiet time has become our empty date night – intended to kindle the romance, but instead has become one more forgotten item on the endless to-do list. Like the girls, He desires and longs for my attention, but I am too tired and selfish to give it to Him.

Short-term mission trips are saturated. You experience all of His intense love and glory in a sprint of a journey. When you’re in it for the long haul, however…it’s much easier to sink into a routine. I still see God every day – in my girls, in the squatter camp, in the hearts of the other volunteers – but I’ve gotten out of the habit of really spending time with Him and asking Him what He has in store for me each day.

In the movie, the couple begins to realize how their marriage is suffering, so on the next date night, Tina Fey puts on a fancier dress and a little more makeup, and her husband is inspired by her appearance to take her to an upscale restaurant in the city instead of their usual place close to home.

I am so grateful I don’t need to wear extra eyeliner for God to notice my beauty and desire to treat me special. I do, however, need to make the first move. He’s there, waiting for me. I only need to call His name and fall into His embrace, and He will restore our relationship to the pure, holy, amazing adventure of a love story it is meant to be.

There are few feelings better than the excitement in waking up knowing that soon you will see the one who holds your romantic interest. When that One is God, that excitement happens every single day.