One morning I realized something: I don’t feel as close to God.
I knew God. I believed His Word. I trusted His promises. He had never failed me yet! I also knew faith wasn’t all about feelings. But, something was definitely different, uncomfortably different.
I missed Him. Really missed Him. I missed noticing His soft whispers to my heart and His verses sprinkled in my head throughout the day. What had changed?
I reflected on the details of my life when I felt oh, so close to Him, and when I didn’t. I didn’t discern any blatant sin constructing a wall. I still had by quiet time almost daily, spending time in His word.
But, my time to pray throughout the day, and time to notice Him was cut short, thanks to the demands of a new job.
In short, my many conversations with God were reduced to one or two conversations each day. I hadn’t eclipsed Him out completely. But we certainly weren’t interacting nearly as much- and it was I who wasn’t engaging as regularly- not Him. He was there, patiently waiting for me to stop my activity, and look up, noticing Him, speaking to Him, connecting with Him.
Just like a newlywed couple spends a lot of time focusing on each other in the first months of marriage, but then distractions take over and years in, with a few children hollering for attention, that couple loses connection with each other.
Unless they are super intentional about maintaining their focus on their relationship. Making time for one another. Prioritizing each other.
Which is exactly what I needed to do with my communication with God.
Not just pray at the close of my quiet time, but talk to Him as I had in the past, throughout the day.
James 4:8 promises us that as we draw closer to God, He will draw closer to us.
I got intentional. I prioritized talking to Him on my commute to work. I resumed our conversation while preparing dinner. I noticed His creation while nightly walking our dog.
And I learned once again to listen. Listen for His still, small voice. I let myself lean in and learn once again from Him.
This process isn’t like digesting a single meal. It’s not like the body working at utilizing nutrients as tools to build tissue and muscle and supply energy and then that meal’s digestion is complete. Communicating with God is like the constant and consistent practice of feeding ourselves a healthful diet each and every day- so we can build and maintain that strength all of our days.
That’s what I had missed: His constant strength, encouragement, and love heaped on me all day. Love eclipsing out all else .
When entering a new stage of life, or something in our schedule changes, it’s easy to lose time with God. It’s also easy to assume that change will right itself. But the reality often is, without intentionality, it rarely does.
Maybe you relate to missing God. You love Him and know He’ll always be with you. Maybe you too realize your life has changed and those changes took time from your relationship.
It’s never too late to prioritize Him. He’s waiting with open arms to welcome you. Recall His promise: When you draw nearer to God, He will draw nearer to you.
Prayer: Dear Lord, You promise that if I draw nearer to You, You’ll draw nearer to me. Please help me prioritize You, every single day. Thank You for always welcoming me with open arms. In Jesus’ name, Amen.