People often ask, “How do I have a relationship with God? I can’t see him or hear him talk to me audibly, and he seems so far away.” Perhaps you feel this way too.
Well, how do you get to know another person and develop a deeper relationship with them in your every day life? By spending time with them and talking with them. You don’t learn to recognize another’s voice if you aren’t speaking with them and listening to them speak to you regularly, correct?
A relationship with God is very much the same way. If you want to develop a closer relationship with God, you need to be intentional about betting into his presence, spending more time with him and getting to know who he is and what he’s like. This is primarily done through the following methods:
- Spending time reading scripture (the Holy Bible) daily;
- Spending time with God in prayer daily (this involves talking to him, but also listening to what he has to say to you);
- Spending time in worship, singing praises to God and telling him how much you love him;
- Attending a good Bible-based teaching church; and
- Spending time with other Christians (we often call this “fellowship”).
God deeply desires to have a personal and intimate relationship with you – yes, you! Just as he walked and talked with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, so he desires to spend time with you and communicate with you one-on-one. You are on his mind, and he seeks you out!
I have found that one of the easiest ways to get into God’s presence, and to remind myself of who he is, is through worship. We are instructed throughout scripture to praise the Lord, especially in the book of Psalms. It is through worship that I can set aside all the problems and worries that I’m dealing with, put my focus on God and pour out my heart to him. To quote a worship leader, Mike Harland, “As we focus or time and attention on the Lord in worship, proclaim his place of honor in our lives, and thank and praise him for his eternal promises, we can expect God to intervene in our circumstances.” And he often does! Many times I will feel God’s presence so strongly during worship as my heart draws close to him, and I will usually receive a bigger perspective (God’s perspective) on the things I’m facing in my life. It encourages me and lifts my spirit to be reminded that God loves me, he sees me, he cares about what I’m going through and he has the answers and is able and willing to help me.
Psalm 145:17-20 says, “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made [that’s you!]. The Lord is near to all who call on him [in prayer and in worship], to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him ….” [emphasis mine]
So, in the hopes that it will prove helpful, I’m including some of the worship songs I have found that draw me closer to God and really magnify how big he is over my life. I hope, as you listen to these and focus on God, that you’ll feel God’s love for you and how much you mean to him – he died for you.
Until next time, be blessed!
CHOOSE YOUR ETERNITY 