John Harke

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Growing in Intimacy

As I write this blog there seems to be the desire in many of us to grow in connection with the Lord, freeing ourselves from shallow relationships and knowing God’s will much more deeply. For some, this is a frustration particularly because others judge their character by what happens to them and not by who they really are. We all at times have the pain of rejection, however spending time in the presence of God seems to embolden us with this sense of holiness. An awareness that we are meant to be sitting before the Lord. Because humanity is most whole when they are attending to God.

What does it mean to attend to the Lord? I believe that concerning ourselves with the knowledge of God’s emotions, we feel what He feels, and this begins to heal our brokenness. Intimacy with God gives us the buoyancy to stay afloat in the middle of hostility. We all need physical touch from another person which is powerful, yet the physical touch from God is transforming.

Intimacy with the Lord has to become our storyline because it's our comfort. This kind of relationship never misuses the power of speech. Because love doesn’t desire to conquer, it desires to empower. And yet sometimes the Lord will displace us socially so that we can find Him in the place of intimacy. When we overflow with love for God it energizes us and we become a people, even in times of loneliness, that are never held hostage by hopelessness. We seem to understand the one we love more deeply because isn’t that what intimacy is? The willingness to understand the one you love? Intimacy doesn’t come to control but to comfort. So we must pray that whatever is a hinderance to loving God fully would be completely removed from us. Here are a few things that we can do to increase in our relationship with the Lord. 

 

  1. Eliminate as many distractions as possible, this will quit the soul so we can hear the voice of God. 

  2. Pray to serve, more than praying to be promoted 

  3. Self-denial is the way of authentic discipleship, it also is the way of true love. Look for ways to deny your flesh. Fasting being one of them.

  4. Find your wellspring because this will keep you from spiritual apathy. 

  5. Realign your priorities by emphasizing spiritual growth over all other priorities.

  6. Make it your primary passion to honor, respect and worship Him.

  7. Daily present yourself to God and ask Him that you would have a life that reflects what He values.

 

Sincerely, 

John