I've recently jumped into the online dating scene, making me one of the hundreds and thousands of people around the globe who have resorted to finding love online.
But finding love online required more than filling out a questionnaire with my name and date of birth. Most sites encourage candidates to fill out a profile describing themselves, their hobbies, and the sort of person they're looking for. I didn't have a problem typing up my profile. As a writer, doing up a PR piece on myself was a no-brainer.
But I hemmed and hawed when I was asked to fill out the 'what sort of person are you looking for' box. So, for inspiration, I trawled various dating websites to see what other people had written in answer to this question. It seems like everyone is looking for a partner to either 'complete them' or 'complement them.'
Trust me, I'm no different and one of the reasons I had decided to look for dates online was because I was tired of being asked out by unsuitable men.
In the end, I wrote that I was looking to make new friends, and wasn't interested in 'casual hook-ups or anyone who was already married or in a committed relationship.'
For good measure, I added, 'and no one 50-years-old and over because that'll put you in the same age bracket as my folks, and that's just weird.'
I later realised no one really bothered to read the last sentence because I was still receiving messages from 65-year-old men asking if they were 'too old for my liking.'
However, my time spent surfing online dating sites and reading other people's profiles had me thinking, 'If Jesus had an online profile, what would His say?'
'I'm looking for a person just like you...'
I believe if Jesus had an online profile, He wouldn't have a long and lengthy paragraph on the sort of individual He'd want to hear from.
Quite unlike me, Jesus wouldn't be writing things such as, 'if you're over 50-years-old and over, please do not email me.'
And I doubt He'd block your profile if He didn't like what He saw.
Quite on the contrary, Jesus invites everyone from all walks and life to call out to Him. During His ministry, Jesus rubbed shoulders with tax collectors, prostitutes, lepers, and almost anyone and everyone—regardless of their rank and title.
And if you're tired, broken, and life has worn you down, He extends an invitation for you to come and rest by His side.
Jesus' online profile would probably read something like this, 'I want to be in a relationship with you because I love you more than you can imagine. Your past means nothing to me and I'm not fussed if you're uneducated or an over-achiever, or if you've tonnes of excess baggage, or if you're 100-years-old. Just call me and I'll hear you.'
Yes, I truly believe that's what Jesus' profile will say, and it does sound a bit radical, doesn't it?
A love so radical
Singer Bruno Mars might croon about how he'd do anything 'for ya,' from catching a grenade to throwing himself in front of a train, to prove his affections and love for you.
It all sounds really sweet, but it's no different to what God has already done for us when He sent Jesus to the cross (John chapter 3, verse 16).
Australia C3 Music's single, Scars, gave me a fresh appreciation of what Jesus has done for me: 'Took upon Yourself all the guilt and shame / Hung it on the cross / You love me with your scars.' It isn't mere words when Jesus says He loves us. Actions speak louder than words, and Jesus demonstrated His love for us by going to the cross (Hebrews chapter 12, verse 2).
The best bit about Jesus is that you don't have to be a 'good fit' for Him before He'll even consider accepting you. You don't have to write an impressive email or put up a pretty photo of yourself.
He loves and accepts you for who you are.
And our part, all we have to do if we're looking to enter a relationship with Him is to declare with our mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead.
I cannot imagine a love more genuine than God's, or a relationship more fulfilling than the one with Him.
Michele Ong is a former regional news journalist with a passion to be a voice for the marginalised and disenfranchised. Writing is as essential to her as breathing, and believes words contain life which is to be used to inspire, inform, and influence readers. Michele attends Auckland's City Impact Church with her family on the North Shore.
Michele Ong's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/michele-ong.html