Personal Relationship? Part 2

In the last post we discussed the first part of the foundation to a deep personal relationship with anyone...whether it be your family, friends, or God the Father. The first part of the foundation was trust. No one would call a relationship deep or personal if they don't even trust the individual enough to share their thoughts, struggles, joys, and passions. It takes trust in relationships with other people; therefore, much more so with God. Review the previous blog (just below) for more discussion on why a personal relationship with God is vital to your current situation and your eternity. Remember, God longs to have a relationship with His children.

As we try to tackle the "how" of having a personal relationship with God let's look at another common characteristic of personal relationships that is as important as trust. Time together brings about knowledge of one another; increasing the depth of the relationship. Think about your best friend...could be your dad, mom, sibling, or someone you hang out with all the time. Whomever that person is how often a week or month do you spend time with them in conversating, corresponding, or enjoying their company? Hopefully, it is often. Even if they are far away email, facebook, myspace, and other internet sites allow for you to keep in touch from virtually anywhere. Most people would concede that time together with others creates a deeper bond between you and that individual.

Guess what, it works the same way with God. There are different ways to spend time with God; all of which are important.
(1) Conversate with God. Talk to Him. That is commonly referred to as prayer. Tell Him verbally how you feel--even though He already knows you voicing it to Him pleases Him and blesses you. You don't have to have your eyes closed either. Pray in the car, in the shower, while you cook, clean, shop, work, even falling asleep. Prayers are to be reverent but can be conversational as well. Just like with your close friends tell God when you are happy, sad, angry (even if it is Him you are angry with), worried, weary, etc. Do it in reverence but do it all the same. Prayers shouldn't be haughty but heartfelt.
(2) Revere and Relish Him in His presence...

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

God reveals Himself to His children if we would slow down, listen, and be still before Him.
(3) Correspondence. Write out on paper or journal what God is doing in your life. Putting those feelings and thoughts on paper will help you to mature as you express you love, gratitude, and passion for Him. God has left His correspondence with us...His scripture. That is His love letter to humanity. Spend time reading his letter and write some back.

You fill find as you revere, relish, conversate with, and correspond with God that your personal relationship will grow.

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah
29:13

These points may seem obvious to some. Still, as Christians we may have many close friendships but feel distant from God because we are not using common sense in deepening our relationship. God is always the one who initiates the relationship first. Now, it is up to you whom He has initiated a relationship with to deepen it with trust and time together.

Have a blessed day.

Nathan