I normally like defining terms before i go deeper into them
just to make sure we are all on the same page. A lot of people have different
definitions of what relationships are but i will just try keep it short. A
relationship is the way in which two or more people or things are connected,
or the state of being connected. From this definition we can draw that for a
relationship to occur, there needs to be a connection. This connection is what
gives birth to intimacy which simply means to be close to someone.
What i realised about some of my friends is that:
v
We are open to each other
v
We allow ourselves to be vulnerable
v
We Depend on each other
v
We Share things
v
We give
v
We are always there for each other. Through good
and bad times
v
We encourage each other
v
We pray together and study together
v
We show a
level of commitment to our friendship
There are so many things i have come across pertaining my
friendships and luckily for me, the above mentioned have kept us together as
friends. An intimate relationship in which we know and love each other , is precious, fulfilling
and it is a gift from God. It is God giving a slice of Himself to us.
So why not have the whole cake as well?
I have come to realise that for a relationship to work , it
requires two people to make it work. For our relationship with God to really
grow in intimacy it requires pretty much what we give into our friendships,
just on a deeper level.
- . We need to be open with God
It is great to know that we are loved by God. Its great to
acknowledge the fact that before the world knew us, He knew us. He preciously
knitted us in our mothers wombs and ensured that a treasure like you and i can
glow right before everyone. This is love
right?
Have you ever lived with someone you are not open with?
Someone you hardly talk to? It is not so great, there are too many awkward
moments and being with that person is not that fun. We need to get to a level
where we understand that God is our father and like He said, He will never
leave nor forsake us. WE need to be transparent with Him. By doing this ,not
only do we lift the burden off our shoulders but we also create a platform of
communication where we can hear Him speak directly into our lives and
situations. Instead of running to the
phone, run to the throne. You will get more peace there. Having an intimate relationship with God
requires us to put feelings and experiences into words .
2.
- e We need to depend on God and allow Him to be in control
I have realised that as much as we want to be the ones
behind the wheel, we need to actually allow God to be in control. He is the
manufacturer of the car (you) so He definitely knows how to take you to where
you need to be at the right time. Allowing
someone to be in control involves you depending on them and for you to do so,
it requires you to trust that person. Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust the Lord with all
your heart and lean not on your own understanding:in all your ways acknowledge
Him, and He will make your paths straight”. I am sure you now see that Trusting
in the Lord = Your paths being straight.
- . We need to be able to Share with God.
This is pretty much the same as being open with God. We need
to be vulnerable and open with Him. We need to give Him the deepest parts of
who we are- Our affections, our hopes, our fears, our dreams and our secrets.
To be able to share our inner world with God is really rewarding and it results
in growth. It allows Him to remind us that we have not been given the spirit of
fear, It allows Him to help us overcome, it allows Him to show us who we really
are because when our inner world is not in sync with who we really are, it
messes up with our true image. Just like pouring flavoured water into a still
water bottle, it somehow makes one think that the water being contained has no
flavour.
- . We need to allow God to be there for us
I remember last year, i had to repeat a module. I wanted to
hide myself from the face of the earth because i had failed and disappointed
those who believed in me. I cried a lot until i stood up and told myself “You
are a woman of courage, a conqueror and a victor in Christ. Get up and draw strength
from God”. These sounded like mere words but they went a long way. God
strengthened me and gave me the wisdom and pwer to throw that stone at Goliath
without missing. In our weaknesses we need
to allow Him to strengthen us , in our addictions we need Him to help us
overcome, In our insecurities, we need Him to bring about reassurance and
remind us of who we are. Having fallen once should not push you away from God
but should bring you closer. God is there for you and i, we just need to allow
Him to take His position and do so.
- . We need to pray and read the Word
Praying functions just like an umbilical cord. The same way
it connects the mother and child, is the way it connects us and God. What does
an umbilical cord do you may be asking, in the placenta, oxygen and nutrients
from the mothers bloodstream pass into the babys bloodstream through the
umbilical cord. Not only does prayer
connect you to God but it also provides nutrition to our being and keeps us
strong. Prayer creates a personal experience with God and to make this
experience more fruitful, we need to read the word. The very way the manual to
a new phone, allows you to explore more about the phone, is the same way the
word works. You enjoy it and get to know
God and yourself better.
- . We need to show commitment
A relationship requires commitment from two people, it
requires both parties to give time to each other and it requires both parties
to learn to prioritise. We need to be
committed to the things of God. We need to be willing to give our time to
God. We need to be willing to be of
service and to learn to serve God wholeheartedly. The truth is, God is the one
who holds true life and giving our lives to Him , enables us to find the true
life. Commitment is crucial and trust
me, God proved His commitment the moment He gave His only begotten son to die
for our sins. Joshua Harris wrote “The
joy of intimacy is the reward of commitment"
Let
us move from hearing about God to
knowing God personally. The deepest and most meaningful of intimate
relationships is the one between
