How to Have a Close Relationship with God

Today, I want to talk about the importance of having a close relationship with God. I had it on my heart for a bit and really meditated on the blessing of having a close relationship with God. It really made me realise that the most important thing and the greatest gift you can have is a close relationship with God. Nothing outweighs or is more important than this. No money, no human relationships, no career, no success, or anything else you may think will make you happy or finally fill that void you have been feeling for such a long time.

If you already know God

If you already know God, I want to touch on religion for a bit because sometimes we can be so focused on religion and what needs to be done - ministry, prayer, Bible study, worship, church etc. that we are doing it out of duty and religiosity rather than out of a relationship with God. We forget what it is all about and just tick boxes out of obligation, it does satisfy our flesh but it doesn’t bring any fruit.

I am not actually somebody who is good at doing Bible plans, journeys, and stuff like that. So one year, I decided that I would complete a whole Bible plan as people do. Normally, I just read what I sense the Holy Spirit wants me to read, which is always a word for me for the season, or I read where I last stopped if I don’t feel the Holy Spirit is leading me anywhere. I was going to start the plan, and the Holy Spirit clearly told me not to do it - I know, normally that would sound like the Holy Spirit didn’t tell me that because reading the whole Bible in a year is a great idea, right? But He told me, if you do that, you will only do it to tick the box.

You see, some things are just dead works with no fruit, even if they relate to God. The Spirit gives life; hence we are called to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and do what He wants us to do, not what we want to do, even if it seems right in our eyes.

We have to be very sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and His voice because what may seem right in our eyes, or even good, may not be coming from the Holy Spirit. And He wants us to be so in tune and focused on what He is doing that we are walking hand in hand with Him. If He wants to us to go right, we go right, even if we don’t understand or know why. We need to trust Him unconditionally and follow His leading.

Sometimes, we don’t follow or obey because we don’t trust Him enough, even when we know He is leading us in a certain direction. I remember one time God asked me to let go of something and go in a different direction than I wanted to go. I’m not going to lie, it was painful to let go, and I really struggled with the instructions - one day the Holy Spirit told me, you struggle because you don’t trust me. It really hit me right where I needed it and helped me to move on. We need to learn to trust His goodness and plan for our lives and trust His leading, even if we would choose a different way, because He knows what is best for us and leads us to what He has for us.

And we are called to walk by faith and not by sight. Walking by faith means being confident and knowing that He will do what He said that He will do, even when it doesn’t make sense and even when it doesn’t look like it. And again, it comes down to trusting Him and His character, acknowledging that He is faithful and His plans are good for us.

Another aspect of having a close relationship with God is learning to wait and receive. The story of Mary and Martha comes to mind, where Mary just sat at the feet of Jesus to receive - no works, no performance, nothing to give, just come and receive His word - where the water of His word washes us from all dirt, where we get rested and refreshed, where we are filled up and strengthened, where our minds are renewed and transformed into the image of Jesus, where we are being healed and made whole again, where we are restored and walk in God’s purpose for our lives.

And so many of us are so busy with everything that we forget to sit at the feet of Jesus. We forget that He is the most important person in our lives, that He is all that we need, and that it’s all about Him. We forget that nothing else compares to what He can give us. We forget that nothing else can fill us like He does and that no one else can touch our hearts like He does. One word from Jesus can change our circumstances, and yet we are searching for the answers in many different places but our Maker.

It is time to get back to the feet of Jesus, just as we are. No matter where you are, whether you are broken, burdened, heavy, depressed, hurt, disappointed, sick, traumatised, exhausted, weak - Jesus is calling you to Himself so He can meet your needs and give you the answers you are looking for!

He said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30)

So maybe it has been a while since you really got away with Jesus, with no schedules, distractions, and the busyness of life. My advice to you would be to set time away with Him and just rest in His presence and drink from Him. It’s time to get refreshed and filled again. It’s time to be restored and walk in full strength again. And Jesus is only a call away from you! Go to Him! And make it regular. It’s time to get back to the first love!

If you want to know God

And if you have never encountered Jesus, He is inviting you to come to Him. He says to you today:

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. (Rev. 3:20)

Jesus is a real person, alive, and wants to have a close relationship with you. To open the door, you have to acknowledge that you are a sinner and that Jesus came to the Earth to die for your sins so you can be washed from all your sins and be reconciled with the Father. Then, invite Jesus into your heart so you can start a relationship together. Here is a prayer for you:

Heavenly Father,
I come to You today with a humble and open heart. I recognise that I have sinned and fallen short of Your ways. I cannot save myself, and I need You.
I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son, that He died on the cross for my sins, and that He rose again so that I could have new life. Today, I choose to turn away from my old ways and turn towards You.
Lord Jesus, I invite You into my heart and into my life. Be my Saviour and my Lord. Forgive me, cleanse me, and make me new. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me to follow You each day.
Teach me Your ways, guide my steps, and help me grow in faith, love, and truth. I give my life to You completely.
Thank You for saving me. Thank You for loving me. From this day forward, I belong to You, in Jesus’ name, amen.

When you have prayed the prayer, please ensure that you cultivate the relationship by speaking to Jesus daily, reading His word to learn about Him and who He is, and also finding a good Bible-based church to meet like-minded people.

I shared some steps of how develop and go deeper into a relationship with God. He is waiting for you. Go and meet with Him! Your life will never be the same!

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