3 Ways To Get Closer To God

Dear diary,

Every Christian we meet has a different relationship with God. Some relationships may look completely different than what you're used to. But the one thing that we can all agree with is that no matter what your relationship looks like, there is comfort in being close to God. We feel safe when we know that we are near our provider, protector, and father.

I personally feel so at peace when I feel like I am close to God and I would love to share that with my sisters in Christ. Though there could be endless things that I could have written, here are 3 tips that I have learned that helped me get closer to God.

1. Receive his grace in your mistakes

The places where I found God the closest were in my mistakes. I felt his love and forgiveness every time. I used to 'run' away from God whenever I sinned (kind of like Adam and Eve) but once I began to cultivate a deeper knowledge of God, I knew that was the opposite thing to do. I experienced his mercy and grace in those areas. He corrected me and showed me the love I needed in order to grow in him.

Hebrew 4:16

2. Read and understand his word

How can I grow closer to God if I am not familiar with his word? How can I lean into his voice if I don't know what it sounds like? The word of God is such an underrated tool. It's not just a nice touch to an Instagram bio. The word of God comes alive in you when the spirit of God activates and moves through you.

The Bible allows us to become familiar with the behaviors and patterns of God. Think of this like a mother and her baby. By the time a baby comes out of the womb, it is familiar with the soothing voice of the mother and is comforted by the familiarity and closeness. A sense of closeness develops the more the baby hears its mother's voice. Similarly, it is in the familiarity of God's word in our relationship that I am able to know how to move around him.

John 10:27

3. Set intimate time with God

Each and everyday, take some time to just be quiet and listen to what God is saying. How can we grow closer to someone in a relationship if we are the only ones ever talking? That's not a healthy relationship at all, let alone a close one.

Many times when we think we don't hear from God, way say things like "where is God?" or "I prayed but I didn't hear anything". But how many times are we quiet enough to hear God's voice? A lot of times God can be responding to you, but we don't allow ourselves to be quiet enough to hear his voice. Set aside some intentional time to be still in the presence of God, to thank him in prayer, and be still. Psalm 46:10 says,

What does that tell you? It is in our stillness that we come to know God.

God wants you to draw near to him. In closeness with God, we invoke a deeper relationship with our creator. Why would we not want more of that in our lives? Yes, life may get hectic at times, but it is important to never stray to far from the one true source. The things of this world should never draw a rift between us and God, but if they do, reel yourself back into to the closeness of God.

Lord thank you that you have given us mercy and grace to come close to you. Thank you that through Jesus, we can come boldly to you. I pray that each and every day, we draw closer to you. I give you all the glory and honor. Amen.

- xoxo God's Girl