Getting to Know God

Of all the relationships in my life, the most important one is the one I have with God. 

Throughout my years, there have been times when I've allowed the craziness of life to get in the way of working on that relationship, and when that has happened, the result is always mental and spiritual exhaustion.  In other words, I can't function without Him.  Years ago, a fairly traumatic event occurred in my life that woke me up spiritually.  It was at that time, God started a spiritual revival in me.  I began seeing again how important it was to go to my God every day and talk to Him.   The more time I spent with Him, the more I understood the magnitude of His gift to me, and the more I loved Him.  It became a great joy for me to go to Him every day and pour my heart out to Him, worship, pray, and listen.   Years later, I realized God had been using that revival, drawing me closer to Him to prepare me, so that when another traumatic event came along, I was able to run to Him in my time of great need, without getting lost.  Because of His calling, because of His patience, I am closer to my great God than I ever have been.  He is my comforter, friend, almighty creator, savior, and guide.  I look forward daily to my time with Him and I know He longs for that time with me as well just as He longs to spend time with all His children.  In recent conversations with other believers, I have been asked how to get to know God.  One e-mailer said "I want to sense God's presence beside me daily.  How do I get to that point?"  In another discussion about talking to God a friend wondered "Where do I start?"  The next few blog entries will focus on personal time with God and getting to know Him.  I will start today with the first and yet seemingly the most difficult step.   

It is simply this:

Make Time. It is a requirement.  Any relationship demands time for getting to know one another.  It is the same with God.  We cannot get to know Him, if we don't make time for Him.  We may wonder why we don't sense His presence in our time of need, and even get a little angry with Him when our quick "help me Lord" prayers on the go aren't answered, and yet we aren't willing to stop-take a few minutes to go talk to Him and tell Him what we need, or what we are feeling.  What would we do if a friend stopped talking to us?  How would we feel if we lavished gifts on someone but didn't even get a thank you?  Or how about the call from a friend who cancels that lunch date because they get a better offer?  We would be hurt and think these behaviors were rude.  Yet that is what we are doing when we don’t stop and talk to our Heavenly Father.  We expect Him to give and give but we don't talk to Him or even say thank you.  We promise Him 15 minutes in the morning but a better offer gets in the way.  I have learned there are no excuses.  He is there waiting for me always.  I must make time.  When I do, I never regret it.

Make time.   That is the first step.                                                                       ©2014 Janet Davis

More Monday. 

Proverbs 8:17  "I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me."

Deuteronomy 4:29  "But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul."    

Back to main site:   http://tangibleinspirations.com/

 

 Isaiah 55: 1-3

“Come, all you who are thirsty, 
  come to the waters; 
and you who have no money, 
come, buy and eat!  
Come, buy wine and milk 
without money and without cost. 
 Why spend money on what is not bread,  and your labor on what does not satisfy? 
 Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, 
and you will delight in the richest of fare. 
 Give ear and come to me; 
listen, that you may live.”

Thirsty

 It was there before my feet hit the floor and I turned off the alarm.  It remained through breakfast and as I drank my coffee.  So strong was my thirst for God this morning that on my way out the door to take my son to school, I grabbed my E-book.  My son  looked at me and questioned, and I replied, “I’m going to find a place to have devotions after I drop you off.”  He smiled, understanding.  This “thirst” I speak of was real; a true yearning-almost an aching- to spend time with my Heavenly Father.  It wasn’t that I was particularly weighed down with any one item.  I couldn’t put my finger on an area of great concern or need, but simply put, I missed Him.  I was missing that one on one time with my Savior and friend.  It was my own fault, too.  He had been waiting for me all along, but my day before had become so busy I pushed Him aside, ignoring His longing to spend time with me,  calm my anxious thoughts, and put my busy list of things to do in perspective. 
 Today I found a quiet spot by the river, away from life’s distractions, where I could spend time reading the Bible, and listening.  (Listening is so important!)  My Heavenly Father met me there. 
I am thankful for His patience.  He  refreshed my weary soul and renewed my mind.  He offered,
 in His word, comfort, instruction, and encouragement.  I sat there a long time, enjoying His beautiful creation, and grateful for a God who is always present and always welcoming to His children.  
We all struggle with finding time in our busy lives to stop and read His Word and listen to His still small voice.  How wonderful to know that no matter how long it has been, He is there, waiting patiently, eager to spend time with us!  He knows our hearts and longs for us to come to Him so He can help us through this crazy adventure we call life.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               ©2012 Janet Davis
Back to Tangible Inspirations:
 http://tangibleinspirations.com/