Intimacy is so simple and yet we make it seem like it’s so hard. We put expectations on it. We enter into intimacy with God, believing it’s supposed to look a certain way and when it doesn’t turn out how we expect we get frustrated, leading us to feel distant from God. The truth is though- He’s right there. We need to lay down our expectations of what we think it’s supposed to look like. We need to pause from the busyness of this world, be silent, and let the Lord work. It’s so simple and there’s times where I’ve personally expected it to be this big extravagant thing but really, it’s just being still before the Lord. Our intimacy with the Lord is what we make of it. If we don’t put effort in, we aren’t going to get anything out of it. We expect God to speak and get frustrated when He doesn’t; but half the time it’s because we aren’t making time to rest in His presence. If you don’t make time to rest in His presence, don’t expect Him to speak.
If you can’t tell the Lord has really been teaching me a lot about intimacy lately and spending time with Him. I’ve never been super disciplined in resting in God’s presence but I am truly learning the importance of it and how much it is needed to walk out in His calling and who He has called me to be.
I’ve had times in my prayer and meditation where I’ve fallen asleep, I’ve had times where I felt like it was accomplishing nothing. I’ve had times where I’ve been so discouraged with feelings of ineffectiveness that I’ve neglected my time with our precious Savior, but I’ve learned the importance of persevering.
I’ve learned over the past several weeks that we are not to give up. We are to keep pursuing our time with God. We are to set a routine. We are to establish patterns and habits that enable us to spend significant time with God on a daily basis. When we do that it will produce a harvest in our walk with God. It will change us and, in turn, begin to affect everything around us. In the moment, we may feel like our time with the Lord was ineffective and dull but when we persevere and don’t give up later on we will see the fruitfulness of our time spent with Him. It may not always be in the moment, but any time spent with God will never be wasted. When we persevere and fight for our time and stay disciplined eventually we will reap what was sowed.
Don’t let things get in the way. Find what works for you and fight for your intimacy with God.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:7-9
Sincerely, Calin
