5.23.24

For either our fifth or sixth date, we met by lake Michigan to go for a walk. After our walk, we arrived back where our cars were parked; suddenly she turns to me and asks, “So Bo, what are we?”

To say my brain short circuited would be an understatement. The question completely caught me off guard, although it probably shouldn’t have. She was very kind, and I enjoyed the time we had spent together, but I wasn’t ready to put a label on it. Instead of saying something simple like that, I went into a lengthy explanation which went something like this, “So I think there is like verb dating and noun dating. Because you can be going on dates with someone which people call dating (the verb). But people also use dating to describe people who have the boyfriend and girlfriend label (the noun). So I think we are verb dating, but I’m not quite ready to be noun dating.”

Smooth.

That is a painfully true “dating” story of mine from a while back. While I was reliving the discomfort I felt in that moment with a friend the other day, the “what are we?” question made me think of a time Jesus asked his disciples the same one.

Later into his time on earth, Jesus asked a few of his disciples “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15-16).

Jesus wanted to know from Simon Peter what their label was.

If Jesus sat next to you and asked, what are we? How would you answer him? Because the answer to that question can impact every aspect of your life. Knowing Jesus means he can give you strength when you’re weak, purpose when your lost, peace when you’re anxious, hope when you’re stuck, and grace for your guilt.

If you’re reading this and you’re not sure where you stand with Jesus, then I’d encourage you to read Luke 15:11-32. You just might find there is an invitation to come home and be welcomed into a relationship you’ve always longed for… as a verb and a noun!