This is a part of Christianity that people sometimes find easy to make fun of and I admit that, in certain ways, it does seem odd; like a child who has bonded with her “invisible friend”. How does one have a serious relationship with a spiritual Being whom one cannot see or touch or hear? Christians sometimes claim to have actual physical interactions with God (my brother says that he heard God’s voice once when he was a young child) but these are rare exceptions, and have always been, even in Bible times. And although some believers talk as though they have a hotline to God (“God told me yesterday I ought to take that job.”) most of us aren’t sensing a lot of direct messages from God, even in our heads.
Why does it matter if my Christian faith is built upon a loving relationship with God?
Would you rather be close to God or have a billion tax free dollars? If you took the money, you’d be cheating yourself. Closeness to God is a priceless gift. He’s everything that we truly desire. All other loves, wonderful though they may be, are only pale reflections of God’s love. His love is relentless and wise, deep and strong. It heals us, strengthens us and delights us in ways that no one else can match. In fact, God’s love is the spark that sets true love, wherever it exists in our world, on fire.
Humans beings have one particularly bad tendency – we’re often more interested in using God than we are in knowing Him. So He becomes our Divine Vending Machine, or Celestial Sugar Daddy – “Look, God, I’ll be your buddy if you’ll only give me. . . (fill in the blank). This is a parasitic, selfish approach to God which leaves all of our worst tendencies still intact. Unfortunately, this mindset easily creeps into even our religious activities. Only a love relationship with God can soften our hardened hearts, dissolve our selfishness, and humble our pride. On the flip side, only a love relationship can calm the shame and fear we feel in the presence of a holy God.
As I’ve progressed in my Christian walk, I’ve become more and more aware of how hard it is to become like Christ. The Christian walk is good, but it’s not easy. In fact, in my own strength, I quickly tire and start faking it. In the daily presence of my loving Lord, however, I find incredible strength. His love heals me, calms me, guides me and strengthens me. We walk through life together and, with his hand on my shoulder, I’m steadily transformed.
How do I build and maintain a personal relationship with God?
Basically, our relationship with God is requires what any good relationship requires.
Best friends know a great deal about each other. This knowledge allows the relationship to deepen and advance. So any time that we invest in getting to know God is time well-spent. By far the best source of information about God comes from the Bible. It paints a picture of God that stretches our minds and corrects our misperceptions. He’s a complex being, not just some benign old grandfather, or corporate executive. Get to know Him.
Prayer is so crucial. Get in the habit of having a running dialogue with God; when you get up in the morning, when you’re working, driving, or just relaxing. Reflect on Him. Chat with Him just like you would a close friend. Don’t worry about sounding cool or saying everything just right. He knows what you’re thinking anyway. Just be honest.
Close friends connect, not just on the intellectual or practical level, but also on the emotional level. They grow to love, appreciate, and enjoy each other. The positive emotions are, in fact, what gives friendship its sparkle and zing. And they create a strong bond which helps hold the relationship together through all its ups and downs. You can help build this bond by keeping your heart open to God. Take time to enjoy Him. Express the love you feel for Him. Where there are emotional barriers, try to find out why so that they can come down. And seek to sense His love for you in return.
Put loving God and enjoying His love at the center of your Christian walk and it will bring green springtime to your spirit.