Would you dance with me?

I can see Your heart in everything You say
Every painted sky
A canvas of your grace

These lyrics floated out of my phone as I danced on a Miami beach Sunday night. Vacation was ending and I snuck some time away to be by the waves before dinnertime. The sun had already set and darkness slowly spread across the sky. “I’ve missed you, Lord,” I said as I reminisced about the whirlwind weekend.

Suddenly, an idea popped in my head to play some worship music. So I played one of my favorites. One by one, old songs, meaningful songs, songs that reminded me of places I had been and things God had brought me through, filled my speakerphone. I think God controlled my YouTube playlist that night. As I glanced at my phone to enter a specific song title, it would suddenly pop up as the next song. Even songs I hadn’t heard in a long, long time. I smiled, and barefoot in the sand, I sang.

I love to dance and as a slow song came on, I asked, “Would you dance with me Jesus?” I spun in circles, imagining Jesus was there with me. I sang to Him and danced. The warm wind felt like an embrace. I know I must have looked odd dancing in circles by myself, but no one was around me. Or so I thought. Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

As many of my friends have gotten married recently and a few have had babies, the desire in my heart for a husband has grown. To know and to be fully known. To adventure through life with someone. To not be alone. At the same time, God has been showing me that I’m never alone. He is with me. I often think He’s distant, off in the sky somewhere, or that I’m not good enough for Him. But in the Garden of Eden, God created man and woman and said they were “very good” (Genesis 1:31). He was pleased with them before they even did anything. When they made a decision to rebel, God asked, “Where are you?” He wanted to be with them, but they hid themselves. He came looking for them and He clothed them.

As we read through the Bible, it’s all about God desiring to be with His people. We run away, but He pursues us in love. Jesus died so we could be with Him. He is also called Immanuel which means “God with us.” He is so close to us now that the Bible says He literally dwells in us (2 Corinthians 13:5). Wow.

A few weeks ago, someone shared with me that he saw an image in his mind of me as a little girl on the school playground. I was standing by myself, feeling a bit lonely, and didn’t realize that my Father was standing right behind me. Right behind me. With me. This image was powerful to me as I’ve struggled to believe God is with me and for me. Could He be right there and I don’t even realize?

So as I was on the beach and felt a tap on my shoulder, I thought, “God, is that you?” I turned around, startled to see a boy about my age. He had heard me singing and had come over to introduce himself. I’m excited to share we’re getting married next month.

Just kidding!

Nothing came of the interaction, but in some way, I think God was showing me again that He was right behind me. That He is with me. That He sees me. I didn’t realize the boy was standing behind me (for quite a while, it seems!) and I often don’t realize God is right there either. That He sees. That He knows. That He cares.

Tonight, I want to remind you that God’s greatest desire is to be with you. He loves you right where you’re at, exactly as you are. Sure, He has plans for your life and you will grow, but He delights in you as you are. You are His child. He is pleased with you. He loves being with you, resting with you, laughing with you and walking with you.

I can see Your heart in everything You’ve done
Every part designed in a work of art called love
If You gladly chose surrender so will I
I can see Your heart
Eight billion different ways
Every precious one
A child You died to save
If You gave Your life to love them so will I

Like You would again a hundred billion times
But what measure could amount to Your desire
You’re the One who never leaves the one behind

-“So Will I,” Hillsong United