The Pursuit of Intimacy

Yesterday I read a few excerpts from “Radical Reliance” by Joe Stowell about pursuing intimacy with God. Some of the quotes are really worth sharing.

The pursuit of intimacy is an intentional commitment to take steps towards God. It is the process of God-ward motion through which we grow more deeply conscious of, connected to and confident in Him as the only source to satisfy, sustain and secure us.

The pursuit is intentional. It doesn’t just happen, it’s not automatic, it is an act of the will. Getting to know God increases my confidence in Him. Confidence in His ability and commitment to sustain and secure me.  

If God never does anything more then redeem us, cancel hell and guarantee heaven. If he never does anything more then that, he has already done more than I deserve.
 
God doesn’t owe me anything. He did it all on the cross and I am forever indebted to Him.

God is doing a lot of things for us that we don’t even know.

Sometimes I wonder how many things the Lord has rescued me from, how many things he does for me each day that I don’t even realize. The Bible says that His mercies are new every morning.

When the arrows of my passions and worship point from me to Him, I’ve successfully reverse the direction of my expectations.

A few years ago I read a book that said “It’s not about you.” Life is not about me, but about God and His eternal pruposes. That is why my passions and desires need to be lined up to Him. I was created for Him, not the other way around. 

 The experience of true intimacy with God does not require perfection but it does require that I am fully surrendered.