Hello, everyone! I’ve had a few
things on my mind lately and would like to share them with you. I hope this
reaches someone out there and aids you in your walk with Christ. I’m trying to
figure this thing out myself, so lets do it together!
So, lately I have been feeling spiritually dry. I’ve
been trying to reach God but I cannot get close to Him. I’ll pray at certain
times of the day (usually morning and night or whenever I want something), read
my Bible (not as much as I should, honestly), and even explore some different
campus ministries here at my university. I find myself asking God, “Wow, is
this really it?! There has to be something greater than this!!” I feel like a
lot of people ask that same question. As humans, it is our natural instinct to
want, to long, to be acknowledged. We are all seeking something in life,
especially when it comes to relationships; romantic ones, friendships, family,
etc. What if I told you that that the thing you are looking for is right at
your fingertips? That thirst for something real is right at the tip of your
tongue. Intimacy with the Father is accessible to everyone!
O God, You are my God; I
shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
Thus I have seen You in
the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your
glory.
Because Your loving
kindness is better than life,
My lips will praise You.
So I will bless You as
long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in
Your name.
My soul is satisfied as
with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth offers
praises with joyful lips.
When I remember You on my
bed,
I meditate on You in the
night watches,
For You have been my help,
And in the shadow of Your
wings I sing for joy.
My soul clings to You;
Your right hand upholds
me. (Psalm 63:1-8)
This Psalm is a love
letter from David (the author of this text) to God. Here is the my modern day
translation of the text:
God I love you. I want to spend time with you and get to
know you. Being with you is better than life itself. You complete me. I think
about you every night before I go to sleep. I dream of you and of how one day
we will be together. God, you are mine and I am yours.
So how do we attain this intimacy with God? We pursue
holiness. Holiness means to be different and set apart as Jesus Christ was.
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without
which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)
“…just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the
world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” (Ephes.
1:4)
“…[be] hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober minded,
just, holy, self-controlled..” (Titus 1:8)
INTIMACY EQUALS HOLINESS!!!!
There is a story in the New
Testament where Jesus takes Peter, John, and James up on a mountain to pray
(Luke 9:27-36). As they are up there it
says that Jesus is transfigured and that Moses and Elijah also appear (v.
29-30). But the next thing that happens is the most important: “…a cloud formed and began to overshadow
them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This
is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!”(v. 34-35)
God wants Peter, James, and
John to listen to Jesus. Why?
JESUS WAS HOLY!
If you get nothing else from
this blog please just pay attention to this part: Jesus is holy. He is the Chosen One. He is set apart. He is different.
And intimacy with God is holiness. So that means the only way that we can reach
God is through Jesus! “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to
the Father but THROUGH ME.” (John 14:6)
I believe that God wanted
Peter, James, and John to listen to Jesus because He knew that following Jesus
would ultimately lead them to a relationship with Him. The same goes for us!
God knows that if we follow Jesus it will lead us to Him. He knows that reading
the Word will teach us how to live holy lives. Intimacy is attainable! It is so
close to us!
Live in Love. Live in Peace.
Go in Freedom
-Daniel
