Intimacy With Godনমুনা

Nurturing Intimacy with God: A Marathon, Not a Sprint

Our world today moves so quickly that we’ve become conditioned to expect quick results. But building intimacy with God doesn’t like this. It’s not something we attain in a single moment of emotional encounter with God, nor does it come from bursts of spiritual enthusiasm. Dear friend, intimacy with God is not a frantic sprint but a steady, lifelong marathon.

The key to staying on track in any race, especially a long-distance one, is having vision. Runners don’t merely focus on the ground beneath their feet; they picture the finish line. They imagine the joy and relief of completing what they started. The same is true in our pursuit of intimacy with God. Our journey with Him is a lifelong marathon filled with challenges and distractions. But when our eyes are fixed on what lies ahead – intimacy and eternity with Jesus – we find the strength to press on. Paul reminds us of this in Philippians 3:13-14: “Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

What does it mean to have vision in this spiritual race? It means remembering that the ultimate goal of this journey is to know God more deeply. There is a prize to be won, and it’s Jesus Himself. Intimacy with Him is both the prize we seek and the process we engage in along the way. As we run, we experience glimpses of His presence, His love, and His power.

However, marathons aren’t easy. There are moments when the path goes uphill, our energy wanes, or distractions or injuries tempt us to stop. Nurturing intimacy with God requires perseverance, focus, and intentional effort. It’s about cultivating daily habits of spending time in His Word, praying without ceasing, and worshipping Him in all circumstances. It’s about prioritising His presence and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us.

At the same time, dear friend, we need grace for ourselves. Just as marathon runners don’t achieve endurance overnight, neither do we grow in intimacy with God without setbacks or struggles. The important thing is to not stop running. Even if you stumble or feel like you’re moving at a crawl, keep going. Each prayer, each moment in His Word, each act of obedience is like a stride forward. God's grace is sufficient for our every step, no matter how small.

I can assure you, dear friend, that as we keep running this race and nurturing intimacy with God, we will discover the beauty of walking closely with Him. God’s voice will become clearer, His love will become more tangible, and His presence will become our greatest treasure. The race isn’t about speed but about faithfulness, and God is with you every step of the way, cheering you on.

So, let us run this race with endurance, fixing our eyes on Jesus, our prize (Hebrews 12:1-2)!

Let's Reflect
What distractions or temptations might be hindering your race toward deeper intimacy with God, and how can you refocus on Him today?

Prayer

Lord Jesus,

I’m running towards You. I’m running with my eyes fixed on You. I pray that You will help me to run this race with joy and endurance as I fix my eyes on You. One day, when I finish this race, I will be with You.

I love You, Lord.

In Your mighty name, I pray, amen.