ericaalysha
With Valentine’s Day coming around the corner in just two days, I have been thinking so much about the things in my life that I just can’t live without. Of course there is my family and friends but there is also my relationship with Christ.
I have gotten to a place where I have been able to make my relationship with God a lot more personal. Sometimes in relationships we try to make it so “Pinterest Perfect”. And when we do that with God we pretty much neglect the whole idea of an actual relationship. Sometimes it’s hard to pour into our relationship with God because we don’t know where to start. Do I need to pray all day everyday? Should I be reading my bible and memorizing scripture? What happens if I have plans on a Sunday and I can’t make church? All of this is all religion not relationship.
During my mornings of rejecting and talking to God, I have come to grips that relationship is centered around the people involved. For instance, the only people that get my marriage relationship with my husband and I, are us! Same goes for God. It’s all about what I need from him and what he needs from me. Right now it’s more of my time. But for you it might be more communication, selflessness, or even trust. But regardless of what he needs from you and where you are in your relationship, just know that God has an individual relationship with each and everyone of us. We make the rules and we have to be comfortable with them. So here are a few tips if you are struggle to make your relationship with God more of your own:
- You Pick The Time and How Often – Just like any relationship you can start slow and then finish strong. In the beginning I would make a point to talk to God on my commute to work once a week. That one day eventually grew into 3 and then everyday. But start with what’s realistic.
- Determine How You Want to Spend The Time – There is no set way on how to be with God. Just like sometimes you go to the movies with your boyfriend and other nights you just lay on the couch. That’s exactly how it should be with Christ. Maybe try listening to Worship music or just reading your bible. But sometimes for me, it’s just talking and letting God in on what’s going on in my space.
- Be Yourself – Who created you? He did. So feel free to let the one who knows you inside and out get to know the real you. No need tone fake and phony. God already knows everything that’s going on with you anyway. Might as well just let it all hang out.
- Don’t Fall Into Religion – There are all these rules on what you should and shouldn’t do. Don’t let that be your focus. Once you get a better understanding of who God really is, you will know exactly what you should do. There is no right and wrong with how you do this thing. There is just doing it!!
Just remember that your spiritual relationship is just like your natural ones. Once you start talking and connecting it grows. Then at some point just like when you started dating that one special guy and stayed up all night on the phone, the same thing will happen with you and God. Tell him I said hello the next time you talk to him 🙂
Love this post! So often we get caught up on trying to follow the rules of religion and wonder why things still don’t feel right. A personal relationship with God is more than that.
I love the tips you gave, I’ve been struggling so much with what I should do and what I want to do with my relationship with God, but you are right my relationship with God is between me and him!
Such a great post! These are all great tips to guide your relationship with God. I especially love the one about being yourself. I used to fool myself by thinking I had to say the right things to Him and show Him my best self. But now I know how erroneous this was.
He already knows everything about us and he just wants to know us inside and out. He wants to see all of us – the good, the bad and the ugly.
Thanks for the inspiration and truth you shared in this post!
I completely agree. Having a real relationship with GOD is important. A relationship is strong and will get us through tough times.
These are great tips! I use to use my commuting time to school as my time to talk to god. Now I spend 15 minutes or so before I go to sleep. Sometimes I get so busy talking to him in my head that I end up falling asleep and waking up wondering where I left off. I loved this post.
This is good stuff, I am always re-evaluating my relationship with God and spending quality time with him each day and staying in touch throughout the day. It is so easy to fall into religious practices and fall out of real relationship. The tips above are great ones to build up our relationship with the Lord.
Love this! Especially -Not falling into religion but to get a better understanding of God and let him guide you. Happy Valentine’s Day!
I love that you point out it is your time so decide how to talk to God. Your personal relationship with God will always be that, personal and private.
I honestly need to spend more time with God each day. I’ve gotten away from it but it’s been so important to show my love daily throughout my life.
I love this reminder that Christ is also our Valentine. Having a personal relationship with Him should be one of our life-long focuses!