Years ago, I found myself in a very lonely time in my life. I’d dug myself a hole and was simply going through the mundane motions of life. The lowest point of this season, I found myself having my first panic attack. I was looking for someone- anyone to talk to. I rushed to the counselling office at my school at the time, desperate to talk to someone but they required a scheduled appointment. Feeling hopeless and lonely, I went into the washroom and locked myself in a stall to try to get it together. I scrolled through my contacts to call a friend. Although I’m thankful that I know my friends would try to comfort me, there was no one in my contacts list that I wanted to call. In hindsight, I think God was saying ” call on me” in that moment. It took a few more months for me to realize that I was trying to fill this emptiness and void with the wrong things or the wrong people when God was trying to call me home. It rings the question, who is your person you can talk to about how you’re doing in this season of life? Who knows you best? Your best friend, your mom, your sibling, your partner- they may come to mind. But where does God fall on your list of people you can lean on?
Has your relationship with God stopped growing? God wants an intimate relationship with us. He wants to hear about the highs and lows of your day. He wants to be that first person you go to, your shoulder to cry on. Although He already knows them, He wants you to come to Him with your worries and thoughts. He knows you and your heart and He wants to know you more. Here are 4 ways to build intimacy with God and build a stronger relationship with Him.
1. Read the word
The word should be the foundation to our lives. It is quite literally the book to life on Earth until we meet Jesus. Understand how Jesus carried out His life on Earth. Jesus demonstrated a devoted and intimate relationship with God. How can we follow Him? How can we love, serve, disciple, evangelize like He did? How can we live life like Jesus?
2. Talk to God daily
Talking to God can and should not be a check-list item each day. Starting your day off with prayer is a great way to start your day. However, it doesn’t have to end there. Talk to God as you would to your best friend. Talk to Him about how your day is going. Are you stressed or overwhelmed by work? Tell Him. Are you having a great day with friends? Thank Him. Talking to God helps us remain connected to Him. Let your requests be known to God. Don’t simply come to God with your earthy requests but ask Him to strengthen your faith in Him. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you in a new ay. To have an anointing in your life.
Just like any other relationship, closeness is a result of spending time together. The more you spend time together, the better you get to know someone and the stronger your relationship becomes overtime. Treat your relationship with God in the same way. Treat God as you would your father, husband, sibling, best friend etc.
3. Make space to listen
Often we can easily treat God as a vending machine. Going to Him when we want something and praying only about what we think we need. However we also need to set some time to simply listen. Ask God to speak to you and listen. If we are constantly going to Him to ask for blessings, how will we ever hear Him? Give Him space to respond.
4. Obey Him
Go where God calls you. Do not hesitate when He commands you to do something. Obey Him in the small things and He will bless you in the big (Luke 16:10). Step out in faith. I have had many situations where I could hear God so clearly asking me to do something- and they were the simplest of tasks. There was a time where he asked me to help a woman carry her luggage up the stairs. It’s not that I didn’t want to help her, but I simply hesitated. I got nervous. And by the time I made up my mind to act- it was too late. Do not hesitate when the Holy Spirit prompts you. Obey and boldly step into faith when He calls on you.
Our relationship with God should never stop growing. God is always trying to show us a new thing, teach us how to look more like Jesus, calling us to live out His will for us. Abide in His word, speak to Him consistently, listen and obey boldly to grow in your faith and your intimacy with God.
