I have been growing passionately in a certain area and I wanted to write a blog about it. So this is me pouring out my heart on what I find to be the most important thing in this world for a human to do. That thing is…
To be in an intimate relationship with God
Intimate
-Marked by close acquaintance, association or familiarity
-Thoroughly acquainted through study or experience
Relationship
-A state of connectedness between living beings
God
-The creator of the universe. A supernatural being made up of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit who is everywhere and all knowing. (There is a lot more to say about God, but these are just a few Big things)
I grew up in a Christian home. A lot of my spiritual upbringing was done in the church during Sunday School, VBS’s and Bible Camp. Here I was taught all about Jesus and what He did for us on the cross. I was told to obey the rules God gives us and be a good boy. I was taught that it wasn’t by works that we were saved, but by simple faith in God. I received Him as my “Personal Lord and Savior” when I was 8 years old. I felt a tug to go up to the alter and give my life to Jesus (although I had raised my hand many times in Sunday School). I said a prayer and went back to my seat. I didn’t notice anything different. I was a little bit more comforted knowing that wasn’t going to be spending an eternity in hell, but other than that, I wasn’t sure of the choice I just made.
My whole life I heard the phrase “It’s not about religion, it’s about a relationship”.
Ever hear that one?
My whole life I would say that phrase and I truly believed it. Although, I don’t think I really lived it out. I would tell people that I had a relationship with Jesus, but what I have come to realize is that the level of our relationship was not very close at all. In fact, my view of God was more like as if He were a genie. A genie is that guy that comes out of the lamp and grants you your wishes. That’s basically how I viewed God. The only times I would go to God is when I needed help with something or if something was going wrong in someone else’s life. I would only call upon God in times of trouble. He was like a disaster relief. When I needed to be rescued, He was there to save me.
Over the years, I have come to learn that God is so much more than that. In Bible College I was reading through World Race Blogs and came across one that changed my life. Some girl had wrote something poetic like “Get so quiet that you can only hear the sound of your heart beat”. It sounded kind of cheesy, but it struck a cord in me. I started to think, “Have I ever done that? Have I sat down with the intention of simply listening to what God had to say to me”? I realized that I had never done this unless some pastor was telling me to do it. I never made an effort of my own will to sit and quietly wait for God to speak to me. So that night I decided to try it. I sat in my room, and got so quiet where all I can hear is my heart beat. Next thing I noticed was that thoughts about the day and the next day came flooding into my mind. I couldn’t focus. So I prayed, “God, clear my mind so I can focus on You”. My thoughts cleared up and I began to hear a soft, very quiet voice. God spoke and said,
“The quieter you get, the louder I become”.
This truth has helped change my life. After that day I began to sit in silence and wait for God to speak. And what I found is that He loves to spend time with me! He showed up every time and spoke love and encouragement into my life. He romanced me and taught me that a relationship with Him is the most important thing on this whole earth to have.
I have been on missions trips now to 12 different countries and I notice a similar thing in each place I go. People in churches are told to follow Jesus and obey the things He tells us to do. This is a very good thing. However, I have noticed that the churches are failing to emphasize the relationship with God aspect of Christianity. I have asked people who have gone to church their whole life, “So, what is your relationship with Jesus like?” And the answers I get sadden me.
“Well, I pray to God. Is there more than that?”
“God seems to be silent right now”
“I’ve never been taught about a relationship with Jesus”
These things break my heart because I grew up knowing that I was supposed to have relationship with God, but no one ever sat with me and showed me how to do that. I had a deep desire to get to know God, but my going to church every Sunday and reading my Bible was not sufficient. I needed more and I didn’t know what it was. In Bible College I learned to hear God’s voice more clearly and now I listen to Him on a daily basis. I work everyday at this relationship. Any deep relationship takes work and our relationship with God is no different. If I get focused on other things and don’t spend time with Him, our relationship suffers. So it saddens me when I see other people who are going through the same thing I went through. I’ve been there and it wasn’t fulfilling. So now I desire for everyone to know about God’s intimacy.
I hate legalism and doing works without a relationship. So many people around the world are caught up in trying to please God with their works that they are missing out on the thing He desires most. Us. A relationship with people. He didn’t die on the cross so we can follow more rules. He came to break the dividing wall of hostility that sin brought. The veil is torn and we can enter into an intimate relationship with God once again. Jesus is coming back for His church, but in the mean time, the church still gets to spend its time on earth walking in relationship with Him.
A relationship with God is the greatest fulfillment in my life. He heals all broken areas of my life. He protects me. He provides for me. He comforts me. He gives me peace, love, joy, etc… “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the Heavenly lights”. (James 1:17)
I can’t fully express how much being in a relationship with God has done for me. I know He desires to do this for all His children. My encouragement is for you to open up your heart and let Him into all areas of your life. God doesn’t just want to clean your bedroom. He wants to clean you kitchen, living room, dining room, every space down to the smallest closet. If your having trouble listening to Him, stop, quiet yourself and listen. Ask for a friend or a pastors help in this if needed. Be intentional about hearing God’s voice and pursuing a relationship with Him. He is waiting for you to make a move.
I am definitely open to receive any questions you may have about this subject. Email me at [email protected] or message me on FaceBook. Have a wonderful day!
