Healthy Relationship Hack #3

Even if “Quality Time” were not my Love Language (as we discussed last week), spending time together is another key to building a meaningful relationship. Building the most important relationship of all is not first with a spouse or friend, but instead with God. I say this because life is tough. And He is the only One you will be able to depend on all the days of your life.

So, how do you build a relationship with God? I found a little book years ago, which I still read annually, that reminds me a relationship with God is built with the essential of spending time. It begins by choosing to yield your life to Jesus Christ, God’s Son. It then becomes spending time together, talking, listening, and interacting.

The little book, “My Heart, Christ’s Home,” demonstrates that when we belong to Jesus Christ, we invite Him into our heart and life, “our home” as a permanent resident. It then challenges us to consider how we would treat a guest invited into our home. First, we would share our surroundings, introducing the person to each room. But then would we ignore our guest, or would we attempt to build an even deeper relationship?

Here is a paragraph I find life-changing when considering how to build relationship with God:

“We moved next into the living room. This was a quiet, comfortable room with a warm atmosphere. I liked it…

He (Jesus) seemed pleased with it. He said, ‘Indeed, this is a delightful room, Let’s come here often. It’s secluded and quiet, and we can have good talks and fellowship together’…He promised, ‘I will be here every morning early. Meet me here and we will start the day together.’

So morning after morning I would go downstairs to the living room. He would take a book of the Bible from the bookcase, open it, and we would read it together. He would unfold to me the wonder of His saving truth recorded on its pages and make my heart sing as He shared all He had done for me and would be to me. Those times together were wonderful. Through the Bible and his Holy Spirit He would talk to me. In prayer I would respond. So our friendship deepened in those quiet times of personal conversation.”

The author goes on to share how over time he became very busy. His many responsibilities stole that time until days passed before he went into the living room.

“On morning, I recall rushing down the steps in a hurry to be on my way to an important appointment.

As I passed the living room, the door was open. Glancing in I saw a fire in the fireplace and Jesus was sitting there. Suddenly, in dismay, it came to me, ‘He is my guest. I invited him into my heart! He has come as my Savior and Friend to live with me. Yet here I am neglecting him.’

He explains he stopped, and hesitantly went in. With head bowed he said, “Master, I’m sorry! Have you been here every morning?”

‘Yes, he said, I told you I would be here to meet with you.’ I was even more ashamed! He had been faithful in spite of my faithlessness. I asked him to forgive me and he did, as he always does when we acknowledge our failures and want to do the right thing.

He said, ‘The trouble is that you have been thinking of the quiet time, of Bible study and prayer, as a means for your own spiritual growth. This is true, but you have forgotten that this time means something to me also. Remember, I love you. At a great cost I have redeemed you. I value your fellowship. Just to have you look up into my face warms my heart. Don’t neglect this hour if only for my sake. Whether or not you want to be with me, remember I want to be with you. I really love you!’”

You hear God’s voice and build intimate relationship with Him as you read the Bible and prayerfully discuss it with Him daily. As you take His words to heart and obey the life example and directions He offers, you experience Your Refreshed Life, the abundant life He promises when He taught, “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

As you draw on a perfect love that can only be offered by God and make His love your first love, all relationships are positively affected. They grow, are nurtured, and flourish as the One who is love (I John 4:8) permeates every aspect of your life for good.