Desire an Intimate Relationship with Jesus

[csx333]

I have desired such a relationship for many years and have asked Jesus to become intimate with me in my daily walk. I don’t feel or see the intimacy I asked for. Am I doing something wrong or expecting too much? Please guide me. Thank,s

 

[jrabs]

I have desired such a relationship for many years and have asked Jesus to become intimate with me in my daily walk. I don’t feel or see the intimacy I asked for. Am I doing something wrong or expecting too much? Please guide me. Thank,s

Like all relationships, they are work. What effort are you putting forth? What is your prayer life like? What are you doing to fulfill your side of the relationship? Asking is not enough.

 

[Angel_Face]

*csx333,
I’m wondering how much you are actually giving to God? It requires a lot of time, patience, and work. Sometimes if we just go through the motions, that’s not what God wants.
He wants you to pray unceasingly (which is my down fall), and with your praying you should not only say certain prayers that you have learned,
but you have to have a one-on -one with God… express to Him your desire to be and walk hand-in-hand with Him.
My prayers are with you along with my best wishes,
Angel Face
*

 

[Bailey2]

I have desired such a relationship for many years and have asked Jesus to become intimate with me in my daily walk. I don’t feel or see the intimacy I asked for. Am I doing something wrong or expecting too much? Please guide me. Thank,s

Intimacy with Jesus has nothing to do with emotions. If you pray, you are in relationship, whether you feel it or not. As for seeing? “No one has ever seen God. Yet if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us.” (1 John 4:12)
So, if in your daily walk you try to be loving Jesus [by practicing compassion and all the virtues listed and exemplified in the gospels], you do have quite an intimate relationship indeed since He is in you doing His work through you… and you are brought to perfection in the process. Thanks be to God.

 

[Elizabeth_Henni]

Dearest csx333,

Take courage!! You have already taken the first three steps in DEEPENING your intimate relationship with Jesus! In otherwords…YOU ALREADY ARE IN AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS!!! :extrahappy:

The first step is to have been given the GRACE to desire an intimate relationship with Jesus. This is Jesus’ way of asking you into such a relationship with Him.

Second, you have responded to Jesus’ request by ASKING Him to have an intimate relationship with you.

Third, you have publically announced this desire and have asked for help! This is a HUGE step!! This means you have become “apostolic” in your desire and have taken ACTION!!

I can just imagine Jesus looking lovingly at you as you take your walks and ask Him for an intimate relationship. I can just imagine Him trying to figure out how to tell you that you already ARE in an intimate relationship with Him!

Here’s where I think might be your sorrow. Because we are human, we tend to assess the depth, quality, and level of our relationships by the way that we FEEL. Although the way that we feel is very important, it is only one small PART of having a relationship with anyone…including God. Feelings come and go. They rise and fall. At any moment in time you could feel one way and then at another moment in time feel another way. Please be patient with yourself and Jesus, as Jesus is patient with Himself and you. In otherwords, just because you don’t FEEL a relationship, doesn’t mean the relationship isn’t there.

Please add to your cabinet of relationship tools your INTELLECT. Your intellect can help you know what to do or not do with your feelings. Your intellect can see you through the “dry” spells (you know, those times when you aren’t feeling anything) and allow you to CONTINUE CONSTRUCTIVE ACTION in your relationship even though you don’t feel like it.

It might help you to read some autobiographies of Saints. Saint Theresa of Avila and Saint Teresa of Lisieux come to mind. Also read Thomas A Kempis’ “Imitation of Christ”. Every Saint I have ever heard of went through “dry” periods. It’s a common phenomenon with Holy People. Some will refer to it as their “dark” periods. These are the times it is most crucial to hold on to your relationship and use all the tools you can muster to believe in God, keep the Faith, and walk through these times with conviction and purpose. Remember…you are not alone in your quest. I am reminded just now of the painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel by Michael Angelo where God and Man have Their hands and fingers stretched out towards each other…all but touching. This is alot like how I envision yours and Jesus’ relationship to be right now…all but touching. I know Jesus will hold His stretch as long as it takes and you seem like the type of person to do the same. What both you and Jesus are actively doing right now is stretching your hands toward each other…DON’T GIVE UP…YOU’RE ALMOST THERE! Before you know it, your fingers will touch His, then you’ll hold hands, then you’ll embrace and before you know it, you’ll be sitting in Jesus’ lap! (Actually, you are already in Jesus’ lap…we just have to get your feelings caught up! )

Here’s some tips…continue to KNOW, LOVE AND SERVE God as God will KNOW, LOVE AND SERVE you! Here’s an important one…Jesus speaks to us in many ways and at every moment…you must be open to this, however, to get the messages! Keep your eyes, ears, and mind OPEN to hearing and seeing things in an INTUITIVE way. Sometimes Jesus speaks in a very soft, almost inaudible whisper and sometimes He speaks with a HUGE ROAR!!! Get to know the signs. I’d be happy to help you translate. I have been given the gift of “languages” by the Holy Spirit and I’d love to help you with this.

I’ve noticed my note is quite long. I still have so much to say to you. I hope you get this message and I hope you will respond with any thoughts or more questions.

I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOU! CONGRATULATIONS ON HAVING AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS! THIS IS A WONDERFUL GIFT YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN AND WILL NEVER, EVER BE TAKEN AWAY FROM YOU…NO MATTER WHAT! If you want more help catching up your feelings to this wonderful news, let me know! I have a ton of information! Believe me…when those feelings kick in…you will most certainly be awestruck!!

I hope to communicate with you soon.
As I wait for your reply, I remain, YOURS IN CHRIST,
Elizabeth

 

[AndyF]

I have desired such a relationship for many years and have asked Jesus to become intimate with me in my daily walk. I don’t feel or see the intimacy I asked for. Am I doing something wrong or expecting too much? Please guide me. Thank,s

St John of the Cross says that one should perceive a certain abandonment when those “beginners” first desire a spiritual relationship with God. He goes on to explain that to the novice soul attached to the experiential it seems nothing is happening, but in reality God is preparing the soul with his light which it cannot recognize because the soul is stimulated to things not spiritual, and due to the soul’s dependence on the senses. (Please bare with me as I’m not that good at spiritual explanation yet, but that is as close to how I understand it at this time.) Until the soul advances by giving up on the sensual,natural and demonic influences, will a better understanding of the differing states of the spiritual advancement to God.

Until then the person requires to never give up and to immerse himself in contemplation as much has possible.

I suggest you read his (prerequisite:mine)Ascent to Mount Carmel first then Dark Night of the Soul. This will prepare and help you to be in the right spiritual frame for that eventual intimacy that you long for, and has I do also.

AndyF