Author Sheryl M. Merritt writes a conversational piece that takes readers on a journey into life-changing dates in her new book titled Dates With Jesus. A powerful memoir, it gives an account of one woman’s unfolding relationship that is developed through dating Jesus.
Your book has an interesting title. What exactly does Dates With Jesus mean?
I am single, never married with no children and there was a time in my life where this really concerned me. One Friday night I was sitting home alone and decided that I was tired of waiting on a man to ask me out. So I grabbed my Bible and journal and headed to my favorite restaurant with the best date ever – Jesus. I knew that I had many questions about my life that only He could answer; I had so many heartaches that only He could heal. I sat in His presence over dinner and let Him know what was on my mind and in my heart. I knew in order for it to be a real experience, I needed to be bold so I used the date as a witnessing tool to share Jesus with others. During the date, I prayed, read my Bible, listened to the Holy Spirit and wrote what I heard. And I left with so much information and revelation that I decided to continue those dates.
What inspired you to write Dates With Jesus?
The book is actually a collection of my journal entries from my dates. Once I began sharing my story with friends and family about the revelation I received on my dates, they started telling me that it sounded like a book. I added some commentary to the entries to emphasize certain challenges that I was dealing with at the time like rejection, loneliness, and confusion over some things and the book was birthed. I really wanted people to understand the depth of what was going on in my life, hear the questions I presented to Jesus on those dates and recognize the transformation that occurred as a result. It’s not everyone that will go into a restaurant and ask for a table for two, boldly inform the wait staff that they are there on a date with Jesus and proceed to engage as if Jesus was there in the flesh with them. I was having a supernatural experience in a public place unashamed because I was on a mission.
What do you want to impart to others through your book?
I want to encourage others to spend quality time in His presence and learn how to hear His voice so that they can discover their divine destiny and purpose. It’s necessary to have an intimate relationship with Jesus and that can be developed outside of the church. You have to learn to hear His voice yourself and this leads you to have understanding about the things you go through, what He is preparing you for and how He wants you to fulfill His purpose for your life. Most importantly, since He is always with us anyway, why not acknowledge Him. This was my creative, out-the-box way of doing that and it worked extremely well for me.
Did you learn anything from writing your book?
I learned how to overcome rejection and loneliness. I also learned that God’s purpose for my life involves more than marriage so I needed to get focused on the greater picture. The dates taught me and still give me an exciting way to witness the good news to others, to learn to hear His voice more clearly and to just spend that dedicated time with him. The dates were never disappointing, always exceeded my expectations, and were totally fulfilling. Jesus is the perfect date!
Dates With Jesus is published by Creator In Me and can be purchased in both e-book and paperback format at www.creator-in-me.com. Follow her @SherylScribes on Twitter.
