John Maxwell talks a lot about growth in his upcoming book, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth.  I haven’t read the book, but look forward to it.  I do know the first law he talks about in the new book is the Law of Intentionality.

Talking about his new book, John wrote, “The first law is the Law of Intentionality: Growth doesn’t just happen. We don’t improve by simply living. We have to be intentional about it. And the sooner you make the transition to becoming intentional about your personal growth, the better it will be for you, because growth compounds and accelerates as you remain intentional about it.”

I believe those statements hold true regardless of the arena one desires to see growth in their life. Whether it’s deepening your walk with God, improving a work skill, or even strengthening your marriage, becoming intentional is a very import key.

For me, defining spiritual growth is really all about developing a closer relationship with God. Over the years I continue to be concerned about having a closer, more intimate relationship with God.  When you look at God’s relationship with some of the believers mentioned in the Bible, it’s obvious we have plenty of room for growth.

But what is really necessary to deepen or increase your personal relationship with God?  Is it doing more works: going to Church more, praying more or studying more?  What is involved?

Where Do You Start?

So, how do you begin, in this case, to develop a closer, more intimate relationship with God?  First, determine just how far you can go with this; what’s the limit?  The answer to that can be found in the Bible by observing the relationships others had with God.

I know, many times it is mind blowing to read what a close relationship some had with God.  Have you ever read the conversation of God and Abraham concerning Sodom and Gomorrah?  Abraham was a guy who didn’t go to Church every Sunday, or read the Bible every day (there was no Bible to read). And, it doesn’t say that he prayed for hours on his knees.

But the Bible declares he is the “father of all them that believe.” That is quite a distinction.  The Scriptures also say that he was the “friend of God.” Like I said, we have plenty of room for growth.

In looking at examples in the Scriptures to determine just how far you can go, do not say, “Oh, that was Abraham,” or “That was Moses, they were special.”  Are you not as special as they were?

We who are born again Christians, according to the New Testament Scriptures, are in God’s eyes accepted, righteous, forgiven, holy and without blame, inseparable from God’s love, and a lot more.  We have been given eternal life and we have His spirit within us.

Actually, we have been blessed with a lot more than the Old Testament believers had. So, logically, couldn’t we go as far as they went?  Jesus said about those who believe in him, “The works that I do shall you do also, and greater works than these shall you do.”  I would say his relationship with the Father was the apex, the pinnacle of having a relationship with God.

Start Today, Not Tomorrow!

Once you are clear on just how far you can go, begin today; no more procrastinating.  Decide that you will put forth some effort every single day building and developing a closer relationship with your heavenly Father.  You decide what you will put your efforts into, but just make sure that you are intentionally putting your effort into something every single day.

Obviously talking to the Father on a consistent basis would be very beneficial.  If you are not “hearing back,” don’t worry about it, because eventually you will!  Get into the habit of talking to your Father throughout the day; open your heart completely; share everything with Him.

I am closer to my wife than any other human being.  I can tell Kathy everything including my highs and my lows, my victories and my failures.  She knows my strengths and my weaknesses because I talk to her.

In my mind, prayer is talking to God, not reading or reciting a preprinted prayer.  It is thanking Him, yes, but also telling Him where I think am, what I am going through and what I desire. It is communicating with Him.  Have you ever read some of the prayers in the book of Psalms?

This brings up my second suggestion. Search the Scriptures to see the heart of God.  The Bible is God’s communication to mankind; it reveals who He is.  If we are going to have a relationship with Him, you and I need to know Him.

Again, it is up to you what to do every day in order to build and develop a closer relationship with your heavenly Father.  As a starting point, these two suggestions should help to get you moving in the right direction.  And, keep in mind that you and I have our whole lifetime to continue to grow in our personal and intimate relationship with Him.

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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