Cultivate a Relationship
Growing up the Church was always telling me being a Christian was all about having a personal relationship with Jesus. I was confused because no one ever really addressed how to cultivate a relationship. They would tell me to do daily devotions or have my quiet times, but with no direction as to how. Read the Bible! Okay, then what? Pray! How?
Throughout high school and a part of college I did my dutiful Bible reading in the morning or evening and would say a prayer. While I enjoyed those times I’m not convinced they had any meaning for quite awhile. Not until my second semester of my freshman year of college did I stumble upon genuine Jesus-times. I discovered what the church was always talking about, getting to know God and practicing His presence in my life.
I can read about Sandra Bullock, talk about her with others and hear about her in the news. I know about her but I cannot claim to know her until I spend time with her too. In the same way I read about God in the Bible, talk about Him with others and hear about Him at church, yet I do not know my God until I spent time with Him. Devotions, quiet times or Jesus-times (whatever you choose to call them) are about connecting with God and getting to know Him. He already knows you so do whatever you need to in order to build a deeper relationship with your Creator. Reading the Bible is a great way because you learn about His past, His character, His story. Talking with others about Him helps you see His influence and patterns in others’ lives. Hearing about Him at church broadens your perspective of Him. Talking to Him, being with Him, is also an equally important way to connect. That is prayer. All parts are necessary if one is to claim a personal relationship with another. If you’re looking for new ways to engage an invisible God check out ideas for cultivating that relationship here.
