How Much Work Are You Putting Into Your Relationship?

RELATIONSHIPS TAKE WORK!

____________________

Think about your relationship with a significant other or close friend- you can't expect the relationship to flourish when you fail to talk to the person, spend time with them, etc.This is the same with our relationship with God!

Growing up, I LIVED in church, but I was just going through the motions and doing "Christian things" because we were supposed to. I understood salvation and was saved, but my relationship with God was dismal. I would describe us more as acquaintances who see each other time to time. The love was there... just a flickering light, as opposed to a bright flame. 

You see, I neglected to realize that a growing relationship in God and maturity don't come automatically. The only way a stranger becomes a close friend is through intentionally spending time getting to know each other and communicating. You can't neglect prayer and talking to God, and expect to grow. You can't neglect to read His word and hear what He has to say to you, and expect to grow. This is why so many Christians struggle and bare no fruit.

1 Peter 2:2 KJV says, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:"

The word desire is a verb; something YOU must do. You have to DESIRE, long for, and want the word of God.  It doesn't just happen. I grew up in church hearing this, but didn't apply it to my life (So many Christians grow up passively hearing about God, not realizing we can have active, actual relationships with Him, like He desires).

A relationship is TWO people. God has done the work when He loved you so much He sent His Son to die for your sins. Now, you have to WORK your relationship with God if you want to grow.


What Work Do You Have To Put Into Growing Your Relationship With God?
1) ENSURE YOU ARE SAVED. You cannot get someone else's salvation. You, YOUR OWN SELF must have faith and belief YOUR OWN SELF. Have Bible reasons. 1 Peter 3:15 says, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear"

2) CHECK YOUR PRAYER LIFE. There are no set directions on prayer. You can definitely Google example prayers, but just be REAL WITH GOD. Don't use something as a crutch that becomes routine. The more and more I grow, the less rigid and "religious" I become. RELATIONSHIP OVER RELIGION. I get in my car (My car rides are my worship timmeeee! I call it my sanctuary!) and just speak freely to God as if He was a passenger. When your prayer is not bound by formalities, IT'S REAL. How do you talk to your closest friend? Do you rehearse what you say or use really big words that they don't understand? No. You're probably looser and free, and they understand even your most jumbled sentences. That's how your relationship can be with God. God gave you speech, He doesn't need your prayer life to be worthy of awards; be sincere. Speak from the heart. Sometimes I'm like, "God, help. I'm a clown. You know it. I know it." Unashamed LOL.

3) GET IN THE WORD. I cannot emphasize this enough! People are so lackadaisical when it comes to reading the Word but it's a big part of communicating from God. Prayer is you talking to Him. Bible reading is Him talking to you. God takes the Bible very serious; it's worthy of being revered and approach and recognized for its holiness. 2 Timothy 3:16 KJV says, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." Make time to sit and hear from God by reading His word. I GUARANTEE you that the more you do it, the greater the desire you'll have to read it. Every time I read something and meditate on it, I find a response to what I needed God to show me.

Having a hard time focusing during Bible reading and prayer time? What do you do when you're trying to have a phone call with a friend and can't hear? Get somewhere quiet where you can hear OR hang up the phone until it's quiet. It's the same with talking to God. 

Also, be inquisitive about the Word of God. When I read my Bible, I sit down with my Bible or iPad, a pen, and a journal. I write what's going on in the text and then write how it applies to me. Anything I don't understand, I write down and Google several websites for clarity, and then reread for confirmation. It prolongs my devotional time, but it's so worth it. If you aren't reading the Bible to understand it in order to be able to apply it to your life, what is the purpose? What good is it to know 600 verses, if you don't know their context nor how to apply them to your life?


If any of these things are something you struggle with, find someone to hold you accountable! My sister and I follow the same devotional series. We check in with each other to make sure the other is caught up, share what we read, etc. The same with my co-worker BFF. Invite others to do devotional studies with you; you push them to grow while supporting yourself with an accountability partner.

Making your spiritual life a priority takes work, but it's worth it! I can't stress it enough! The relationships in our lives that we fight for and put the most work into are the most rewarding!

Putting In Work,

Lord,  you're so awesome! I love you! I love your Word and what you're doing in my life! Growth can be uncomfortable, but I can be at peace with growth because You hold my life in your hands and direct my paths. I pray for anyone reading this blog, Lord. Grow them! I pray for anyone who is not saved and does not know You and your greatness. Where would I be without you, Lord? Use me to be a testament of Your goodness and realness. For the Christians reading this, Lord, grow them! You didn't grant us salvation for us to stay Christian babies. Mature us. Place the right people in our lives to hold us accountable. Help us not to backslide, but if we do, help us to understand your grace is sufficient and help us to repent and come right back to you. We're not perfect, but thank you, Lord, that you are! In Jesus' name, AMEN!

The Glory Of The Lord- Stephen Hurd
Beyond- Joann Rosario
Your Name...The Moment- Vashawn Mitchell