The Pursuit of Relationship

Have you ever pursued a relationship with someone?  This could be your spouse or even just someone you wanted to know better.  When I met my husband, he was not looking for a romantic relationship but there was just something about him that made me want to know him.  There was something that was magnetic about his personality and his ability to make everyone feel important.  I could tell it wasn't just me that felt it.  He was always the center of the action, but not like someone that was trying hard to be the center of attention.  It was just that everyone wanted to be around him so where he went, people followed.  I had to be intentional about creating a relationship with him.  We had mutual friends and I made sure to accept every invite when I knew he would be there.  I even stepped out of my comfort zone and made opportunities to see him.  I was not necessarily trying to have a romantic relationship with him, friendship would do...for now.

Have you ever heard of someone saying they were pursuing a relationship with Jesus?  I feel as though these are words thrown around without much thought.  What does it look like to pursue a relationship with Jesus and why would you want to do it?  You may think, I'm a Christian, so that relationship already exists, why do I need to "pursue" Him?

Matthew 28:18-20 is considered "The Great Commission".  These verses give instructions that we are to follow.  One of these instructions is "to teach all that God has commanded".  How do we know this if we don't know Him?

To put effort into creating and deepening a relationship with someone, first of all, takes time.  It takes an intentional effort.  You can have many many conversations with someone and never break the surface.  You have to ask questions and then listen.  You need to spend time with one another.  How do you do this with the God of gods?

1. READ THE BIBLE

Reading the Bible is not just for learning about events in the past.  By reading the Bible, you can begin to build a relationship with the Author.  How does He feel about things?  How does He feel about you?  When you read the Bible, ask yourself, what does this verse or chapter tell me about the character of God?

1 John 4:10, " This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

2. PRAY AND DON'T FORGET TO LISTEN

Have you ever asked God a question and just sat quietly waiting for an answer?  It's not as easy to do as it sounds.  I tend to keep on asking without waiting for an answer.   Many people wonder how to hear the voice of God.  First, I think the better you know Him, the easier it is to know His voice. When my close friends call, they don't need to tell me who they are, I've spoken with them enough to know their voice.  
This next statement may sound contradictory but actually, I think it backs up my first statement. When I take time to listen, He almost always surprises me.  Stay with me here.  I will ask God a question and my tendency is to flip through the options of answers but when I really take time to listen, God's answers are always better than anything I could come up with on my own.  And always fits with what I know about the character of God, I know it was His voice.  Also, don't be afraid to pour your heart out!  My sister in law is going through a terrible custody battle.  In this scary time, she has so many fears.  I encouraged her to share them with God.  He knows!  Which brings us to my next point. 

3. TRUST HIM

I'm not just talking about being able to say that you trust in God.  I'm saying if you fully commit, then don't hold back any part of your heart.   Even working at a church,  I find myself being scared to really open my heart.  I think I'm afraid of what He might ask of me if I offer all of me.  I know I'm afraid if I truly open up my heart to people I'll get hurt.  But if I've truly given my heart to God then other people's opinions don't matter and therefore less opportunity to be hurt.  

4. KNOW HIM

Like several songs say, to know Him, is to love Him.   The more we open our hearts in relationship to God,  the more He is able to show His incredible love for us.   He's waiting for us to choose to spend  time with Him. 

My husband and I have been married for over twelve years now.  When I began to pursue a relationship with him, I never would have guessed how our relationship would get better and better with each passing year.  It reminds me of how much I didn't know I needed a closer relationship with Jesus until I began to pursue Him.  Now, with each passing day, I find out new things about my God.  I find out how much He loves me and it blows my mind how personal He is.  This Jesus that the Bible talks about is not some foreign deity.  He is a personal friend of mine, capable of more love,  joy, & peace than anyone on this planet.  Who couldn't use more of those?!