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by Ruth O’Neil
People are often looking to have a more intimate relationship with God. However, they don’t look too hard and they don’t work at it. There are so many things you can do to increase the intimacy. Many of them are so obvious, we overlook them.
- Prayer is an obvious, but neglected form of intimacy. This is when you talk to God and He responds to your heart. When you pray you can be alone with God, even when surrounded by people. Prayer can be as simple as a request on a friend’s behalf or praising God for a beautiful day. It can be as deep as lying face down on the floor in complete surrender to God. Prayer can only take a few minutes or it can take hours. Mixing up your prayer life using these elements can increase your intimacy with the Lord.
- Study the Bible on your own or with a friend, not just in church. Read through the Bible for the first time in a year. Read through the Bible again in a different version. Keep a notebook handy to write down ideas that never occurred to you before. No matter how many times you read a passage you can still get something from it. Maybe you are at a different place in your life and God’s words have different meaning and application for you.
- Serve others. Getting your mind off your own problems and onto others’ will help you see that your issues aren’t so bad. Service to others brings a closer intimacy with God. You don’t have to sell all you own and give the proceeds to the poor. Just take note of a tired mother who would be blessed if you brought dinner for her family. Bring a bag of groceries to the one who is out of work. The important thing is that you focus on someone other than you. You will end up being the one blessed.
- Look for Him everywhere and in everything. Did you just miss being in a car accident because you were running late? That was God. Were you able to pay all your bills even though the numbers didn’t add up? That was God. Were you able to witness an amazing sunset or sunrise? That was God. Once you see Him, acknowledge Him and give Him thanks.
- Worship. Yes, this means that you should probably go to church. There is nothing comparable to being in a sanctuary of like-minded believers where the spirit of God is present. Focus on you and your heart during a worship service. Don’t think about the person in front of you. Think of you. Examine your life and see if there needs to be changes. Before the service take a moment to pray and ask God to open your heart to His leading. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. You will not be disappointed.
Of course, these are only a very few of the ways you can have a more intimate relationship with Christ. Use whatever ideas work for you. Incorporate some of your own ideas. The key is to try. God will meet you where you are and He will help build up the intimacy you desire.
About the Author:
Ruth O’Neil has been writing for over 20 years. She has published hundreds of articles in numerous publications. She loves to touch the emotions when she writes. “If I can make one person laugh or cry, I’ll consider myself successful.” Her first novel “Come Eat at My Table” has just come out in ebook form and can be purchased on her website. She homeschools her three children (well, one now, as two have graduated). She and her husband have been married for 20-plus years. In her spare time she enjoys quilting, crafting, and reading. You can visit her on her blog at ruths-real-life (dot)blogspot.com or her website at ruthoneil (dot)weebly.com
