Develop a Relationship with the Lord
Relationship with the Father is so important, but how do we develop a relationship with the Lord? I suppose it is much like any other relationship. It must be cultivated and grown. We cannot get saved and then assume that was it. The Father has such a deep desire to draw us close, and it should be our desire to draw close to Him.
If there is a lack of desire there, it could be that a little too much of the world has crept in. A little too much of this and that has replaced a necessary desire to draw near to God. How do we get rid of the unnecessary and the excess? Honestly, just about like we would do with anything else. We need to do a little deep cleaning.
The Holy Spirit, if we give Him room, will help us with the deep cleaning of our soul. It is difficult because the more that He sheds light on the dirt and gunk, we want to shrink away, and say, “That’s too much work.” Or, “That’s too painful.” Or, “I actually like that thing that’s in the way. Do I really have to give that up?” Or, “I need that! It’s what’s helping me get through such-and-such.”
We like to quote, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” Matthew 16:24,25
But living that out when the Holy Spirit convicts us of something is a whole other matter. Suddenly the cross feels just a little too heavy and we want to set it down and say, “Well, that was enough for today. Perhaps another day when I’m a little less tired or busy…” “God, I know You really want to dig deep on that character issue, but I’m not ready.” Unfortunately, I’ve personally employed both of those excuses.
What happens, though, when we allow the Spirit to do the work? Is it possible that it will actually clear the way for us to grow closer to the Father? Is it possible when our love of the world diminishes because of the work of the Spirit that we may find that we crave relationship with our God? In case you weren’t sure, the answer is “yes”.
This week, the Father illuminated some scriptures for me, and this was one: “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” Psalm 27:4 This scripture speaks to intimate abiding relationship and when I read it, I felt that old longing and tug in my heart to draw really close to Him…to just sit with Him and be content, to wait with Him, to listen for Him, and to allow His Spirit to do the work and surround me with the Father’s immense love.
Today, join me! Let’s allow the Holy Spirit do the work inside of our hearts and minds. Let’s allow Him to dig deep and take care of business, scraping the rotting fragments of the world out of our soul, and let’s allow Him to fill us with the deep desire to draw near to the Father and rest in His Presence, enjoying fellowship and profound intimate relationship.
Katie Botello
FBC Aztec Member