Intimacy with God

Practical Advice for Building a Deep and Meaningful Relationship with Your Creator

Intimacy with God…
When you think of this phrase, what enters into your thoughts? If most of us would be honest with ourselves, we would most likely have to admit that feelings of discouragement often go hand in hand with the thought of intimacy with God.

Why do you think that is? Well, first of all, the discouragement stems from fear. Fear of failure as well as a fear of the unknown. Secondly, the discouragement comes from our own preconceived notions of what “intimacy with God” entails. And although discouragement tries to put out the fire and cause us to sit on the fence, the truth is that God created each of us with a deep desire for intimacy with Him, and He longs to have a relationship with us.
So passionate is His desire after us, that after Adam and Eve sinned, He immediately developed a plan to send Himself as the payment that would bring us back into relationship with Him.

Okay, wait…let me back up. Do you realize that Jesus died on the cross as payment for our sins “so that we could have fellowship with God?” Yes, that’s right. Many of us only believe that Jesus died as a payment to save us from hell. This is true, but it’s so much deeper than that. Just as God walked with Adam in the garden, He brought us back into fellowship with Himself so that He can walk with us in the garden of our own lives.

So, how do we begin?

A relationship with God begins with trust. Intimacy involves vulnerability, sharing secrets, being open and transparent. God desires that from you.

Trust isn’t always easy. You may have been betrayed by other people…people that you loved. You may have been rejected by a parent, a spouse or a close friend. It may be difficult to open up to God. But God loved you and trusted you first if you think about it. The Word of God tells you that while you were yet a sinner, He laid down his life for you. He is worthy of our trust.
In Hebrews 13:5 God promises that He will never leave us or forsake us.
Here are more scriptures of comfort that speak of God’s great love for us:

He tends His flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. – Isaiah 40:11

Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have summoned you by name. You are mine. – Isaiah 43:1

I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. – II Corinthians 6:18

Trust Him. Intimacy with God will bring you more peace, more joy and more fulfillment than you ever thought possible. When you begin to share yourself in a relationship with God, He will reward you by giving you more of Himself.

Pitfalls to Achieving Intimacy

Don’t allow common excuses to stand in your way of intimacy with God, especially the “I don’t have time” excuse. Developing a relationship is accomplished during the little moments of life. No one said you have to sit for two hours studying your Bible every morning. Bible study is important, but a relationship is developed over time and with constant connection. If you only spoke to your spouse once per day, in the morning for exactly one hour, your relationship would be dry and stale.
God brings freedom to our lives, not bondage. Don’t look at intimacy as a chore. Talk to Him throughout the day. Sing little scriptures to Him. Tell Him you love Him. At first you may not notice much of a difference, but over time things will begin to change. You will find yourself talking to Him more and more throughout your day–asking questions, giving thanks, and developing a true bond with Him.
Your connection will soon become an addiction (in a good way). You will find that your life makes more sense as you talk to Him. Bible verses will come alive in your heart and you will eventually have that assurance that God is real, He is there, and working wonderful things in you and through you. Before long your relationship with God will begin to spill out and affect every person and thing in your life. You will be so full of His presence that talking about Him will become natural, trusting Him will be normal.

When you are close to the Creator, nothing is strained or a chore. You will experience that peace that passes all understanding and you will be changed every day, little by little, into the image and likeness of God.
It all starts with that first step, that first prayer, that first conversation. Take the leap of faith today. Pour out your heart to the Lover of your soul. Position yourself to listen and He will speak to you.
Do this and your life will truly never be the same.