Romance?

Do you ever get so caught up in the things you do as a Christian that they easily define your relationship with God? Do you find yourself not being fed from these things you have, the sermons don't come alive to you anymore? You've got condemnation for not praying as long as you probably should? You got a couple weeks off track in your Bible plan? You find yourself trying to sneak out before someone asks you to help clean up the church? You cringe at the thought of being asked to lead out in prayer, or step up and lead for the group?

I was just thinking about how easily we get caught up in these things, and even the trap of pleasing man. It's like deception. The thing about deception is....you don't know you are being deceived. And sometimes when your walk with God is so frustrating because you don't realize that in some form or another you've been going through all the motions to please the pastors, your leaders, to seem like the anointed one.... or because you know those are things you are supposed to be doing. But here's something important. Have you ever experienced a true intimacy with God? ROMANCE!!!!! Do you know what it is to feel so passionately in love with God?

I don't know.... I'm just so excited for this summer. To fall so deep in love with God. More than I ever knew was possible, more than I ever understood before. I was thinking about interns and every experience, and how God constantly whispered the words "more intimacy with Me" to me. And I kept saying yes God I love You that's what I want. But I've just recently received such a huge revelation of what true intimacy with God is. And it's helped me to see why so many of us struggle through our walks with God, and feel like we've resorted to compromise, or even backsliding in ways we've been able to convince ourselves were okay. I'm not referring to anyone in particular, and I think honestly no matter how strong of a Christian you are, including myself, we all deal with this on some level.

So here's the thing. Do you have a true romance with God? God created us to be with Him. God wants to romance you. You know any guy or girl can try to win your heart, but what about God? He's the author of pursuing someone, he's the best at knowing what makes you get butterflies in your stomach. If you can't see that about God, begin to ask God to reveal that side of Him to You. FALL IN LOVE WITH GOD, He is madly in love with you already, and desperately wants you to know it!!!

Forget every burden you have, every bit of condemnation, every pressure, and just begin to ask God to reveal His love to you in a more intimate way. Maybe at first it doesn't make sense, but if you really want to have a relationship with God that will transform you radically you'll get desperate enough to find a way to receive it. And you know what? It's okay to wrestle with God over it until You understand it (Genesis 32 Jacob wrestles with God for the blessing). Take the time to be genuine with God the next time you pray. Set the prayer cards and routines aside, and speak to Him as if He were sitting right next to you. Have you ever heard someone say time plus words creates intimacy? It's true. :] If you don't already have a goal for this summer, and even if you already do- you should aspire to fall in love with God for real. Past the zeal and temporary highs that help us run for a while, past the things we do to please God, past what you even understand as relationship, as God to take You deeper into His love. YOU CAN NEVER REACH AN ENDPOINT WITH GOD, even if you feel like you are in love with Him, there is an unfathomable amount of His love you have yet to experience. SO FALL IN LOVE WITH GOD!!!!

"And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel [the face of God], saying, For I have seen God face to face, and my life is spared and not snatched away." -Genesis 32:30 AMPLIFIED BIBLE. Wrestle with God until the burdens, obligations, stresses, and cares are gone, and you can get down to just being with Him for the intent of being with Him. You can easily lose yourself, your passion for the house of God, and your love for God, if you don't understand intimacy with Him. And from that intimacy will come the pure desire to do all those things, minus the burdens etc.