Someone recently asked me, "How do you really get to know God better?" This question has haunted me ever since.
We know there are stages of 'knowing' someone. You recognize some people when you see them: there are others with whom you socialize or work with occasionally and know a little better. Then there are those with whom you are fairly friendly on a regular basis; others with whom you are "good friends." And in each category there are probably still more levels, or stages, of 'knowing.'
Some of you have a very good friend, a spouse, or someone with whom you are very close __ unconditionally. How did you get to that point?
I don't want to editorialize, spiritualize, or 'psychologize' (I know that is not a word, but bear with me). But let's take a common sense approach to look at the question -- "How DO you get to know God better>"
Let's begin by looking at human relationships. If someone is repulsive to you, you are not likely to desire to know them. But if someone is attractive or appealing to you, then what is the first thing that comes to your mind. Isn't it "I'd like to get to know him (or her)."
So, how do you start? You ask! The question, "Could we meet?' Sometimes you might be a little more subtle and gradually work up to the question, but the truth is, you must ASK!
Then you communicate. Communication is conversing two ways. No one likes to talk very long to someone who dominates the conversation and never lets anyone else talk. Them. why do we think that God is an exception? After all, HE wants to talk with You, too.
If the only time your child spoke to you was to ask for money or the car keys, etc, it is not likely that the relationship will flourish. You want your child, (friend, spouse etc.) to listen to your opinion occasionally o to just simply sit with the family and participate in the conversation, or just enjoy being together where it is not necessary to even talk. HE does too.
Now, make time for Him. I remember when Bill and I were dating, getting to know each other, how often we would let each other things go in order to spend time together. It often required a sacrifice to spend time with him. Sleep was sometimes deprived because our allotted time three to four hours would turn into five or six hours. But we were enjoying each other's company so much that we did not want to separate. Mother would start about eleven o'clock and from her bedroom just on the other side of the window say, "Dorothy, don't you think it is time to come in?" And we wouldn't stop --every few minutes she would remind me that "my" time was important. How long has it been since you spent an extra hour or two just enjoying the company of the lord and perhaps depriving yourself of a little time or pleasure. have you decided to spend some time with the Lord and after a very few minutes the distractions started. 'It's getting late and you have to get up early,' or 'i'm so sleepy I can't keep my eyes open so I had better go to bed,' or even, 'If I don't hurry I'll miss the news (or my favorite show." Really getting to know someone requires spending a quantity of quality time together.
Another thing that I think is important is to find a trysting (your special meeting place) place.
Bill's and our favorite place was the front porch swing at my parent's home. We would just migrate to that spot. Even when we had been spending time with the family, we would afterward just go sit and talk for hours. Sometimes we would just sit and enjoy each other's company without saying much. There was just something about that spot that was special.
Space does not permit a long dissertation, but think about another vital aspect of getting to know someone -- that's submission. The ideal relationship is when each person puts the other person ahead of their own desires.
And finally, never allow a relationship to deteriorate to the point that time spent together is not pleasurable nor to the point of only spending time together when you want something
There are other aspects, of course, but think on these things.
We know there are stages of 'knowing' someone. You recognize some people when you see them: there are others with whom you socialize or work with occasionally and know a little better. Then there are those with whom you are fairly friendly on a regular basis; others with whom you are "good friends." And in each category there are probably still more levels, or stages, of 'knowing.'
Some of you have a very good friend, a spouse, or someone with whom you are very close __ unconditionally. How did you get to that point?
I don't want to editorialize, spiritualize, or 'psychologize' (I know that is not a word, but bear with me). But let's take a common sense approach to look at the question -- "How DO you get to know God better>"
Let's begin by looking at human relationships. If someone is repulsive to you, you are not likely to desire to know them. But if someone is attractive or appealing to you, then what is the first thing that comes to your mind. Isn't it "I'd like to get to know him (or her)."
So, how do you start? You ask! The question, "Could we meet?' Sometimes you might be a little more subtle and gradually work up to the question, but the truth is, you must ASK!
Then you communicate. Communication is conversing two ways. No one likes to talk very long to someone who dominates the conversation and never lets anyone else talk. Them. why do we think that God is an exception? After all, HE wants to talk with You, too.
If the only time your child spoke to you was to ask for money or the car keys, etc, it is not likely that the relationship will flourish. You want your child, (friend, spouse etc.) to listen to your opinion occasionally o to just simply sit with the family and participate in the conversation, or just enjoy being together where it is not necessary to even talk. HE does too.
Now, make time for Him. I remember when Bill and I were dating, getting to know each other, how often we would let each other things go in order to spend time together. It often required a sacrifice to spend time with him. Sleep was sometimes deprived because our allotted time three to four hours would turn into five or six hours. But we were enjoying each other's company so much that we did not want to separate. Mother would start about eleven o'clock and from her bedroom just on the other side of the window say, "Dorothy, don't you think it is time to come in?" And we wouldn't stop --every few minutes she would remind me that "my" time was important. How long has it been since you spent an extra hour or two just enjoying the company of the lord and perhaps depriving yourself of a little time or pleasure. have you decided to spend some time with the Lord and after a very few minutes the distractions started. 'It's getting late and you have to get up early,' or 'i'm so sleepy I can't keep my eyes open so I had better go to bed,' or even, 'If I don't hurry I'll miss the news (or my favorite show." Really getting to know someone requires spending a quantity of quality time together.
Another thing that I think is important is to find a trysting (your special meeting place) place.
Bill's and our favorite place was the front porch swing at my parent's home. We would just migrate to that spot. Even when we had been spending time with the family, we would afterward just go sit and talk for hours. Sometimes we would just sit and enjoy each other's company without saying much. There was just something about that spot that was special.
Space does not permit a long dissertation, but think about another vital aspect of getting to know someone -- that's submission. The ideal relationship is when each person puts the other person ahead of their own desires.
And finally, never allow a relationship to deteriorate to the point that time spent together is not pleasurable nor to the point of only spending time together when you want something
There are other aspects, of course, but think on these things.
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