Devotion

     In his book Objects of His Affection, Scotty Smith shares his journey of learning to personally experience the passionate love of God.  As a young boy, he lost his mother suddenly in a car accident.  Because of s=this, he closed off his wounded hear to heart--including God.  Several years later he received Jesus as his Savior and began to learn the truths of Christianity.  Yet his relationship with the Lord in those days was, as he described. "side by side rather than face to face.  Important, but not intimate."

     Do you ever feel that way?  You talk to the Lord  a little bit, read His words in the Bible, but don't sense a passionate connection with Him like that expressed by the psalmist David in Psalm 63.  Scotty suggests ways to overcome the obstacles to intimacy, from which we may glean these two ideas.

     Live Honestly.  Open up to the Lord about the pain of your losses and admit your failures, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:8; see also 1John 1:9).

     Ponder and believe the Scriptures about God's character and His longing for you.  "Your lovingkindness is better than life" (Ps. 63:3; see also Ps. 139 and Eph. 1:3-6).

     Being close in a relationship takes time and effort--even when it's with the Lord.  –Anne Cetas