As a child growing up in a Christian home, I was told that God didn’t want me to pursue religion but a relationship with Him. And I was given a list of dos and donts to aid me in this quest. But truthfully, I struggled to comprehend how I actually could have a relationship with an unseen God.
I understood in an intellectual way but my heart wrestled to grasp it. My relationship with Him seemed to be driven more from a sense of obligation and guilt than anything else.
Why was trying to have an intimate relationship with God so hard? I wanted it. Why couldn’t I experience it?
Slowly I began to learn that God wanted me to WANT to spend time with Him.
These guidelines weren’t given to me so I could check them off and feel good about myself. They were given to forge my love for God and grow my relationship with Him and absent of love and relationship they become only things to boast about, nothing more.
If you have struggled, like me, with having an intimate relationship with God, I encourage you to let go of the checklist and just BE with Him. He is waiting, inviting you to grab hold of this incredible relationship.
Lord, put within us a burning to desire to WANT to be with You, not because we know we should but because we simply desire You. May we be satisfied with nothing less. Amen.
Constantly ask, “is this what I would want in a relationship?” For example, if you think “I have to read my Bible and pray”, would you want a friend or spouse to feel like they have to spend time with you? Why would God be any different? Bible reading and prayer is great if you’re using them to pursue relationship with God but if you’re only doing it to check it off your list than you’re missing the mark.
By Kristi Huseby
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