If you’re longing to get closer to God, check out these five insights.
1. To get closer to God, admit you can’t do everything on your own.
One of the first steps to getting a closer to God is admitting that you need him in your life. Ironic, yeah? The reality is that we can’t do everything on our own, so admitting this will not only show a sense of humility in your life but it will also show God that are putting your faith in his strength and guidance, rather than your own. As John 3:30 states, “He must increase, I must decrease.”
2. To get closer to God, remove yourself from harmful relationships.
I believe one of the biggest roadblocks to finding a deeper relationship with God is harmful relationships. Whether these relationships be with family, friends or co-workers, taking yourself out of the equation, or at least giving yourself some healthy distance, will provide you the necessary room and energy needed to first get right in your relationship with God. You must make yourself a priority in regards to your spiritual life. Although this might sound tough to accomplish, you won’t believe the freedom and liberty you will encounter when being able to solely focus on your relationship with God without having toxic relationships getting in your way.
3. To get closer to God, get plugged into a local church or small group.
You won’t believe how much you’ll benefit from having a group of people to support you and help you along your journey with God. Getting plugged into a local church and/or small-group will help keep you accountable, give you wisdom when needed, and even be there for you in times of distress. Jesus’ church was always intended to be done within a community, so I encourage you to get yourself plugged into a community that cares about your relationship with God as much as you do. The Acts 2 church is a beautiful example of this in action; community centered around the Gospel of Jesus.
4. To get closer to God, read your Bible.
If you want to get to know the God of the Bible, then you should probably start reading your Bible. I’m not saying you need to memorize the whole thing in Greek, but you should be reading it at least once a day, nurturing your heart and soul with God’s wisdom and guidance. Whether you simply read from start to finish or study through a daily devotional, reading your Bible will help build a foundation for your faith in God. Write down notes that you can look back on, and always be transparent when incorporating what you’ve learned. God will speak you in ways that will not only transform you from the inside out but will also give you a better grasp as to who you are as a person. If you want God to speak to you, start reading what God has already spoken.
5. To get closer to God, make prayer a priority.
Prayer is key. And although prayer can sometimes be looked at as weird or awkward, it’s really not at all. Look at prayer as a conversation between you and God. You’re simply talking with Him. You don’t need to light candles, burn incense or even wear a black robe. Just relax, get somewhere peaceful, and begin a conversation with God that will help build your relationship with him. Martin Luther once said, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” That quote is packed with powerful truth, and I want you to begin looking at prayer as your way of staying connected to God. Any relationship with meaning is one that has great communication.
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This article originally appeared here.
