It was a comfortable silence. He was looking at something on the iPad, I was reading a book. From time to time we would look up and smile at each other.
After several nights of this, I realized something: We’re not talking. We’re not sharing. I’m not sharing my life with him. My husband. My best friend. I didn’t exclude him on purpose. We had just become very comfortable with each other. Like two old friends sharing a bench.
And that’s a good thing! We’re at home and relaxed with one another. But we also have to be careful not to take things for granted. Not to become TOO comfortable. Ever so slowly a distance can creep in. Our relationship can become three miles wide, and two inches deep. No depth, no substance. Kind of like the relationship I have with 400 of my closest friends on Facebook!
That isn’t the type of connection John and I want with each other. We want depth. To have that, we need to be deliberate in cultivating a stronger, deeper relationship.
I want the same thing with Christ. Deepness. And I need to be intentional about it. If I’m not careful, I can take this very important relationship for granted. I can become too comfortable during my prayer times with Him. This relationship with Christ – above all others – needs to move from shallow to deep. And then deeper still.
And so, just like in my marriage, I began to make adjustments. I began conversations. I tell Him about my day, my deepest feelings gushing out. I read His word, slowly dwelling on passages that speak to me.
I stop and listen to Him. I pour over the scriptures, careful to pause if a verse catches my attention. And then I read the passage again, slowly, letting it sink deep into my heart. And then I ask questions.
“Why, Lord? Why should I care what this scripture says? What does it have to do with me, today, 2,000 years after it was written? Why does this matter? What are You saying, Lord? Is this something I need to apply to my life? Is there a change I need to make?”
I love the questions. But more than that, I love when I sense God’s answers!
“Ellen, that scripture was written so that you can know the lengths I will go for a relationship with you. So that you know I love you and will pursue you. So that you can share with others how deep my love is for my people.”
Are you intentional about your relationship with Jesus? Are you cultivating the depths of His friendship?
I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.
John 15:15 (NLT)
Lord, how thankful I am that You count us as friends, that we can bring anything to You in prayer. Yes, indeed, what a privilege! Thank you for being such a personal God – You listen and hear our prayers. In Jesus powerful name, Amen.
Until next week,
This post was originally published 1-16-201
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