A strong relationship with God is a cornerstone of the Christian faith—not to mention, one of the best things you can do on a personal level to cultivate a happy, peaceful life that is aligned with God's plan for you. And yet, it's often easier said than done.
In the Bible, God asks, "'Am I only a God nearby…and not a God far away? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?...Do I not fill heaven and earth?'" (Jeremiah 23:23-24). And yet, even if we believe that God is with us at every moment of every day, and that He is involved in every facet of our lives, it's all too easy to feel distant from Him amid the busyness and chaos of modern life.
What Does a Relationship With Jesus Look Like?
If we let Him, Jesus will be everything to us: a devoted parent with our best interests at heart, a wise teacher, and a loyal friend. Jesus knows us better than anyone else ever will—including ourselves—and to cultivate a relationship with Him is to never be alone, and to live in the light of the fullest, truest love we can ever imagine.
That being said, relationships take work, and our relationship with Jesus is no exception. Just as we might maintain a relationship with a friend by calling or texting to say hello, or scheduling time to hang out and catch up, it's important that we put regular effort into our relationship with God in order to stay close to Him.
Cultivating a Deep Relationship With Jesus
Although it will take time and effort, strengthening your relationship with Jesus needn't be a burden or obligation. In fact, even a few minutes a day is enough to commune with and experience the love of Jesus Christ. Here, we'll list a few simple, everyday practices that you can use to get closer to God:
Read the Bible. The Bible is God's Word incarnate, and yet, for many people, their only interaction with it is on Sunday. But the Bible gives us everything we need, from comfort during times of hardship to instructions on how to live our lives. Consider building a habit of reading the Bible every day, even if it's only a few minutes during your lunch break at work, or a couple of verses while you're waiting in line to pick the kids up from school. After all, over time, small habits can produce big results.
Prayer. Like reading the Bible, prayer is one of those things that commonly takes a backseat when the demands and distractions of life start to build. Part of the reason for this is that many people are perfectionists when it comes to prayer—they want to do it at the right time in the right place, when they're feeling calm and reflective. In truth, none of those things are necessary for communicating with Jesus. He is always happy to hear from us, whether that's in an extended solitary prayer session or in a brief expression of gratitude between errands or tasks.
Show Love to Others. Jesus preached and lived a gospel of service, and caring for our earthly neighbors is arguably the single best way to embody a Christ-like spirit. Volunteering and community service are great ways to do this, but not many people have time for that every day. Instead, make a habit of asking yourself each day, "How can I help someone today?" There is always someone in need around you, whether it's a stranger who is down on their luck or a loved one who needs some extra support right now. No gesture or act of kindness is too small—after all, even Jesus himself wasn't above washing the feet of his disciples.
Turn to Music. Music is a uniquely joyful way of worshiping God—and best of all, it's a form of worship that you can turn to at any time, whether you're driving in the car or relaxing at the end of the day. What's more, when it's difficult to find the words for what you want to express to God, music can often help fill in the gaps.
Word of Life Church is dedicated to making the world a better place by spreading the Word and Love of God. Our mission is to create an authentic, welcoming worship community, and to empower people to live a life of faith Word of Life Ministries and Schools, Inc. and service in the name of Jesus. Our offerings include a variety of worship experiences, Life Groups, youth programs, and service initiatives for individuals of all ages, all of them designed to offer community and opportunities to engage with God. Attend a sermon or contact us today to learn more about how we can serve you, or consider donating to support our work.
