How to reignite your faith, connect with God, Bible reading plans, Bible reading tips, Quiet time ideas
Bible Truth for Everyday Life

How to Cultivate a Closer Relationship with God

The curtains wave in the breeze and a dozen songbirds chatter on the lawn. I sit with iced tea and a deep longing in my soul.  At first, it feels like physical hunger.  But as I sit in the silence with the longing, I recognize it: I’m longing for a closer relationship with God.

Francis Chan speaks through the computer screen.

There’s a tent on the stage.  It’s a red and white camping tent – a modern-day illustration of the place Moses went to meet face-to-face with the Creator of the world. God spoke to man in the tent.  The tent was holy.  It was awe-inspiring and filled with wonder.

The Secret for a Closer Relationship with God

I’m considering the complacency with which I sometimes seek God when Francis speaks these words:

“And what’s crazy to me is nowadays how we treat this time with God as ordinary or even burdensome – to where we try to squeeze in like five minutes at the end of our day, like I gotta try to get some time with him.  I feel guilty ‘cause I only got like two or three minutes.  And now it’s like a burden, and we have pastors that beg us . . . just give him a few minutes –  just try, please, please.”

You Won’t Hurry Your Way to a Closer Relationship with God

I think of my morning routine: me with coffee, racing through the daily Scripture reading while the little one babbles on the other end of the baby monitor.   Just trying to get it done.

I think of last evening: a chapter before bed, but my eyes glazing over and sleep settling in before I absorbed a single word.

All too often, meeting with God is like one more chore on a long list.  I forget that it’s the greatest honor a human could ever receive. The Creator of the universe wants to meet with me.

I give him six minutes and check it off the list. Six distracted minutes.  Six minutes that were more about finding direction for my day and getting my needs met than actually connecting with his heart.

What If You Actually Expected to Hear from God in Your Bible?

What if every time I opened my Bible, I actually expected God to speak to me?

How would my quiet time be different?

What about you, friend?  Would your time with God be different if you eagerly expected to hear from him when you open your Bible?

What if every time I opened my Bible, I actually expected God to speak to me? #relationshipwithGod #quiettime #encounteringGod #Biblestudy Click To Tweet

I put down the list of tasks and silence the sermon from Francis. I open the Bible and expect God to speak.  The verse reads:

And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to minister to him. . .  these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. (Psalm 56:6-7)

I see the invitation clearly.

God is inviting me to bind myself to him, and he will bring me joy. He asks me to keep seeking, pursuing, and attending to him, and he will bring me to his holy mountain.  He reminds me to draw near to him, and he will draw near to me.

Friend, do you want a closer relationship with God?  Here are a few simple steps to take today:

1. Commit to start your day with him – even if you only have a few moments.

2. Don’t rush your quiet moments with him.  Be still.  Rest.  Soak in his presence (for insight on quieting your mind, join me here).

3. Try a fresh Bible-reading method (find a few here).

I sit with the Book and the curtain and the songbirds. I don’t cross even one task off the to-do list.  And somehow, when the quiet hour ends, it feels like I’ve accomplished the very best thing.

An Invitation to Help You Connect with God in Relationship:

Does the idea of slipping away to a beautiful place to recharge and refresh sound inviting?  Space for Your Soul to Stretch is your personal invitation to create space to rest in God’s presence.  You need only 12 minutes per day for this 8-day journey.  Each day invites you to encounter God’s created world and spend time in his written Word.  You will walk away from this journey replenished and refreshed each day.   It is my free gift to you by clicking here.

 

 

 

 

Quote taken from: Francis Chan, “Entering the Presence of God,” April 10, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdtNkjR-wFs

 

 

I’m passionate about equipping others to encounter God in powerful and life-changing ways. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me hiking, jogging, exploring wild places with my three young children and husband, leading small groups, and mentoring younger women. A certified special education teacher, I am on leave from the classroom for a season of chasing frogs and playing in creeks with my little ones. Most of all, the compassionate love of Jesus has forever ravished my heart, and I'm emphatic about making his love known to the world.