Form a connection, intimacy with God

“ …That I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with him…”

— Philippians 3:10 (AMP)

At the core of our very being we long for connection. God designed us this way. After all, he desires a relationship with us, so it would only make sense that he would create us with a desire for relationships as well.

Having the opportunity to relate to others and exchange ideas and passions excites me. However, we all have a different comfort zone when it comes to relating with others.

Different personality types and disorders can affect how we relate. Experts say men are more intellectual. Oftentimes, they can communicate their needs and desires in just a few words, whereas women long to hear details.

Experts say there are five different areas in which we can relate and form a bond:

• Spiritual intimacy with others can occur when we share a connection that helps us build a bond with others who share similar beliefs of God. Experiences and inspiring testimonies of how we came to know and receive Jesus Christ can be part of this.

• Cultural intimacy includes sharing similar backgrounds, nationality, values or traditions, or neighborhoods.

• Social intimacy involves sharing similar passions and interests. Groups and social clubs are formed for this purpose.

• Intellectual intimacy occurs when we can exchange ideas on the same level as another. People network with others for this reason. Over the years, I have enjoyed networking with other nurses, writers and Bible teachers due to our similar interests.

• Emotional intimacy is the intimacy that sparks our heart with romantic interest or special connection, like with our spouse or special friend.

But the greatest intimacy is the one we form with God. Only he can see the inner most places of our hearts and relate with us like no one else can. It’s the only relationship that will give us lasting joy and fulfillment in life.

• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She can be contacted at annetteebudzban@aol.com.