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Day 18: Closeness

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Come close to God, and God will come close to you. –James 4:8

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God enjoys your company.

That’s right—the Creator of the universe, who established all natural law, who consistently exemplifies true love, actually wants to spend time with you.

And He’ll use whatever it takes to draw you to Him.

In your successes and failures, on good days and bad, whether you’re happy or sad, worried or mad, the Lord’s invitation is constant: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” –Matthew 11:28

Is your first response always to turn to God?

Some of us run from our burdens, toward everything other than Jesus. Some of us celebrate our wins without ever giving thanks to God.

But all your troubles and all your triumphs are equal opportunities—to move even closer to Him. He delights in your gratitude on good days. He empathizes with your pain on tough days. The question is—do you reach out to Him when you experience both?

If you let it, everything in your life can propel you toward God—even your intimate relationships.

He wants to hear from you, always.

Sometimes it’s the depth of a significant other’s faith that can inspire you to spend more time with God. Or a crisis you face can compel you to pray more than ever before. Other times, it’s the grief you feel when a relationship ends that can move you closer to Him. Being single when you don’t want to be can do that, too.

But everything that happens in your life can have a positive impact on your relationship with God. The deeper your intimacy with Him, the more aware you become—that you are secure in Him, that what happens when you’re close to Him is invaluable, and that you always have His attention.

Does He have yours?

Pray

I am so honored, God, by Your interest in spending time with me. And I want to spend more time with You. Help me to recognize opportunities throughout my day and throughout my relationships to move closer to You.

Reflect

How have dating, breakups, and past hurts led you closer to Christ? Would you like to spend more time with Him? List three ways you can make that happen.