Loving God

"We love because He first loved us."

[1 John 4:19]

Recently I was asked by a dear friend, "How do you love someone you cannot see?"

It's an honest question and I totally understand this dilemma, because I wrestled with this same question before I truly knew Jesus.

A lot of people quietly struggle with this, but often won't admit it, because they think everyone else has figured it out already. They hear believers talking about "relationship with God" yet internally they feel bewildered; because to them reading an ancient book, listening to sermons, talking to someone you cannot see, or forcing emotions they do not naturally feel, is totally bizarre.

But.... the beautiful thing is, God is not intimidated by honest questions! (Jeremiah 29:13)

One of the biggest revelations that changes everything is understanding that a relationship with God does not begin with us trying to reach Him; relationship begins with realising He already is near us through Jesus. We can exhaust ourselves trying to "find God" whilst scripture tells us through Jesus, God already made His home within the children of God.

"On that day you will realise that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you." (John 14:20)

Doesn't this change the entire perspective?

Instead of asking, "How do I force myself to feel close to God?" Ask "How do I become more aware of the God in me?"

It isn't about chasing a distant God, it is about an awakening to the reality of His presence through Jesus.

We are familiar with how human relationships develop. We can physically see them, hear their voice audibly, and interact face to face; but a relationship with God grows differently.

Spiritual relationships grow through trust, awareness, communion and learning God's heart through Jesus. The Bible reveals who Jesus is and what He did for us. The goal of Scripture is not merely information, it is revealing Jesus.

"You study the Scripture diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me....." (John 5:39)

One of the most practical ways relationship with God grows is through simple awareness during our day to day lives.

-Talking to God honestly whilst driving.

-Thanking Him during the day.

-Becoming aware of His peace in difficult situations.

-Bringing our thoughts, feelings, frustrations, excitement, and questions to him naturally.

Healthy human relationships for many people grow through consistency and awareness. A relationship with God grows through daily awareness of His presence and goodness. He is constant, regardless of emotional fluctuations. We do not have to fake emotions to have intimacy with God; we can come to Him honestly.

Some of my most deepest moments with God have began with raw honesty:

"Father, I want to know you, but I honestly struggle sometimes."

The enemy's greatest goal is convincing us that God is distant, silent, or unreachable; because if we believe God is far away, relationship begins feeling impossible. But God is always near, because the Holy Spirit lives within the children of God permanently. (Ephesians 2:13)

The beautiful reality is that relationship with God is not about trying to climb your way toward heaven; through the finished work of Jesus, heaven came near to us. Our heavenly Father is not asking us to force a relationship with an invisible stranger. Through Jesus, the Father already knows us completely, loves us deeply, and desires daily communion with us as His children.

How comforting is that!

God bles