Intimacy with God

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