Busy Summer, Hello God?

Intimacy Not Obligation

I’ve decided to shift my focus a bit. Originally, I looked at this blog as a way of sharing my love of home décor. I still plan on doing this, but now I want to add a place to share blessings, discussions, words of faith, encouragement and to pen all the thoughts that I don’t have a home for.

It’s hard for me to know where to start. I’m feeling a little insecure, putting my very personal thoughts and ideas out. But the urging has been there and when He asks, I have to answer. I know all too well what happens if I ignore His pressings and do my own thing. The result is never pretty! So here I am, a Friday afternoon sitting in my home office listening to the low hum of my window air conditioner thinking of what to say. My little dog, the white one, is sprawled out on my feet daring me not to move. The afternoon sun beats down making it the perfect sunbathing spot for her. Many things occur to me: my recent encounter with sickness, financial difficulties, learning to forgive, letting go and trusting… all really heavy topics. I’m sure at some point we can tackle them all, but I think its easier to start from the beginning.

I keep hearing over and over again in my spirit “Intimacy”. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as the state of being in a very personal and private relationship. This is the place the Lord wants us to be with Him. I know, I know… who has the time? I mean summer is here – we have to soak up as much as we can, right? There are so many things to do and it seems to go by so quickly. I want to take my nightly walks, go on day trips, shopping, bicycling, don’t forget about swimming, boating, taking the kids the summer camp, soccer… the list is endless. The urging still sits in the back of my mind, gently nagging at me. Yet, I can’t seem to find the time and when I do it feels like I’m just going through the motions. I think that’s probably the worst thing! “Here I am God, ready to spend time with you” but really I’m thinking about my kids, my mortgage, my walk, social media or my favorite tv show.

He wants us to have an intimacy with Him and want to spend time in His presence. Its a choice to be intimate. Its a choice to be sold out for Christ. We have to make the decision to make the time, be fully present during those moments and commit to it. It’s like going to coffee with your best friend but instead of chatting with her your checking your phone, looking at your watch, or looking around the room. She would feel hurt, ‘why don’t you have the time for me?’ she would say. It’s the same with God.

I’m reminded of Jesus. Here He is embarking on his ministry at the young age of 30. Everywhere He goes He encounters people with needs; needs that only He can meet. Sound familiar mom…wife, sister, employee? Jesus preformed miracles, taught, saved and traveled all the while making time for God. He was the busiest of busy, yet He still found time to meet with His Father.

“However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.”

Luke 5:15-16

If Jesus, the son of God, had to find time in His busy schedule to recharge, get direction and encouragement than shouldn’t we? We might not realize the impact this time with Him has on us. It might seem like a waste, sitting in a room reading the Bible and trying to hear what He has to say. But its like anything else we do, the more we do it, the better we get at it. Its the same with God. The more time we put in, the more we are rewarded. Entering into fellowship with Him becomes rewarding. Suddenly, He’s whispering into our heart the solution to that problem that has been plaguing us. Suddenly, a Bible verse pops into our head and leads us to a place that answers what we’ve been seeking. Suddenly, we feel such a release of peace that can only be found supernaturally. Suddenly, those problems don’t seem so big.

Benefits of Intimacy

I had a friend say to me, ‘How can you hear Him? How does He talk to you?’ My answer is easy. How can you hear someone if you don’t listen? I’m reminded of Elijah when God told him to go out and stand before the mountain. He heard a great strong wind, rocks falling, earthquake and then fire. But it was a still small voice where Elijah heard the voice of God (1 Kings 19:11-13). If he didn’t know that voice, he would have missed it. When we have intimacy, a private relationship with God, then we know what He sounds like and we know how to hear Him.

I remember long ago the Holy Spirit said to me, “Spend more time with the Lord. The more time you put in the more you will be blessed. Your time will prosper in other areas, you will prosper. You won’t have to work as hard. Your life will become easier in other areas, you will not have to work as hard because God will be your supplier. Make Him center and all else will be resolved.” This is a benefit of having a personal relationship with the creator of the universe. I promise you, everything else will start to melt away into the background as you bring Him to the center. So this weekend, as you get ready to go on that weekend trip, that family barbecue, the beach…whatever it is you have planned – take some time to meet with the Lord. Pencil him into your calendar to worship, read your Bible or just meditate on His words. I will do the same. I will heed the advice of that small voice inside that says ‘I want intimacy” trusting that the result will be greater then the time and energy I put in. This is the way of God, give into it and receive your supply.