Fun fact, I am a very friendly person and I love people. I also enjoy time alone and one on one conversations. Why? I value intimacy. So, while I can operate in large crowds, I would rather get to know people one on one. Over the years, I have found that time spent alone with people gives me an opportunity to truly get to know them.
Well, God wants to know you and He wants you to know Him.
In this holiday season, we have a litany of things to do and accomplish. Our families, friends, careers, and churches are all fighting for our attention. All of these demands are wonderful, but they often distract us from time alone with God. We need to reprioritize our schedules. It is time we make space for intimacy with Jesus.
But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”
But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!
There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her. Luke 10:40-42 NLT
Let’s walk through the steps to intimacy straight from the Word of God.
- Welcome Him
As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Luke 10:38 NLT
Many of us are just like Martha, we welcome Jesus into our lives, but we do not know what to do with Him when He arrives. We busy ourselves with making meals and serving those around us, but we forget the guest of honor. Imagine this. A young man you are interested in invites you to his family’s annual barbecue. You are thrilled at the invitation to spend time with him. When you arrive, he greets you with a warm welcome, but you do not see him for the rest of the afternoon. Rather than spending time with you, he rushed around trying to impress you. That would be strange right? He has welcomed you into his space, but he is unprepared for your presence. He did not understand why you came. You did not come for what he could offer you. You came for him.
It’s time we understand why Jesus came. Jesus has not come into your heart for what you could offer Him. He has everything. He came to spend time with you. He came to get to know you.
He came for you.
2. Go Away with Him
“Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.” – Mark 6:31-32 NLT
Intimacy denotes privacy. God values time alone with you. It is impossible to cultivate an intimate relationship when everyone else is around. While you may know many married couples, I doubt you know the inner workings of each individual couple’s relationship. They keep some things private. Why? People tend to guard the relationships that are most valuable to them. If we guard our relationships in the natural, we should also guard our personal relationships with God. We should guard our alone time with Him.
Though Jesus preached to thousands, He was a solitary man. He often withdrew from the crowds and His disciples to spend time alone with His Father, God.
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.– Luke 5:16 NIV
As we follow Jesus’ life here on earth, we see that He took care to teach His disciples the same important principles of prayer. He wanted them to know how to come away with Him.
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:6 NIV
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. – Matthew 17:1-2 NIV
When you sense God drawing you away, go with Him. Jesus draws us away with intention. He draws us away so that we can rest. He draws us away to teach us. He draws us away just because He wants to be with us. But most times, He draws us away to reveal Himself in a new way.
3. Sit with Him
Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet… Luke 10:39 NLT
Position is everything. Throughout scripture, we often see Jesus sitting with people. In the scripture, above we see Martha’s sister, Mary, taking it a step further. She not only sat with Jesus, she positioned herself at His feet. Mary was in the presence of the King so she lowered herself accordingly. How are you positioned when you spend time with God? Are you laying down, finding yourself too relaxed, and falling asleep? Are you standing and trying to multitask?
In school, students sit because it is conducive for learning. Even if students do not want to be in school or their minds wander, their bodies are in position to receive from the instructor. Their bodies are sitting at attention. As men and women of God, we have to prophetically align our bodies to receive from God. Let’s learn from Mary and take a seated position.
4. Listen to Him
…listening to what he taught. Luke 10:39 NLT
Intimacy gives you space to hear from God. The hustle and bustle of our everyday lives is so loud and demanding. Our prayers become a list of what we need and want without taking a moment to pause and hear God’s voice. The holidays have a way of further deafening our ears, but Jesus is available. He sees your stress, worry, and turmoil, but you must choose to listen to His voice. He is waiting to alleviate your burdens. Right now, whatever you are carrying, imagine Him coming behind you and lifting every weight from your shoulders. He is here to help you walk from a place of rest. He is here to teach you how to live without all the toiling and striving, but you must listen to hear His guidance.
My message to you is simple. Intimacy with God is better. Make space for Him.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light. – Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
It is so important to start off spending time with God so we will come to know more about His will for us. Thank you for sharing.
You are so welcome, Tona!