Intimacy with God

Photo Credit Tonya Marie- Dripping Springs, Austin TX September 2019.

Intimacy- a deeper stronger connection with God, with the self, and even in our relationships makes us feel closer and loved.

What’s the opposite of intimacy? The opposite of intimacy would be distance or unfamiliarity.

How do we create distance in the same relationship that we crave intimacy in? We stop talking and sharing the things that really matter… we stop spending the type of quality time where we can get closer, feel more connecting, and develop the bonds of trust and acceptance. So to invite intimacy would be to spend time getting to know someone (like God), opening up, and allowing trust to grow.

There really is nothing hidden within us or in our world that is not known to God. So why not talk about it?

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Hebrews 4: 13 (NIV)

I was praying this morning and over the past week I’ve really come to recognize that there are many ways that can sabotage our quest for intimacy. Clutter whether physical or mental, (even verbal chatter can be a form of clutter) can keep things at a surface level instead of digging deep.

Have you ever been in the middle of a conversation with someone and you’ve realized you’ve talked about everything under the sun except what’s really bugging you. There have been times where I keep everything on the surface level, move from subject to subject like a butterfly checking out the flowers. It’s like I have these walls up by keeping the conversation going on light subjects so we don’t get into what’s really on my mind deep within. On the outside it may look like I’m having the time of my life as we are laughing and joking. But deep inside I’m worried or afraid or just worn out.

So we can have walls where we don’t always let people through. We can also have busyness as an obstacle for intimacy. Now that doesn’t mean that everyone who is really busy is trying to avoid intimacy with God or in their friendships and relationships. There are times though, when it could mean that we use busyness as yet another barrier. Even while doing God’s work in the church.

What happens if we decide to let those walls down? We open ourselves up and that leaves us vulnerable. That is hard to do at times, even with God and the people we are closest to.

What I’m learning is how important intimacy is to me. I crave that intimacy with God and in my close relationships. Sometimes I’m my own worst enemy for sabotaging opportunities for intimacy.

What can I do to go after that intimacy in my personal walk with God? Here is what I am working on… maybe you have some ideas to share to>?

1. Talk with God about everything throughout the day (the good, the bad, and even the ugly….)
2. Make time for special quality time where I spend time with God in worship, prayer, and meditate on God
3. Making time to listen…. so that I can hear from God exactly how much he loves me and cares about what I think and feel.