Is it normal for someone to have to beg or coax a person to hang out with the love of their life? Of course not! When a young man meets the woman of his dreams, he finds every excuse possible to spend time with her! In light of this, have you ever wondered why Jesus often withdrew to solitary places to pray? I mean, as the Son of God, why did he have to go pray like that? Was it a duty he had to endure, or was it the joy and love of his life?

Matthew 14:23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.

Luke 5:16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (NIV)

Jesus loved his Father in a dimension we cannot comprehend! Spending time with his Father was not a religious duty for Jesus; it was the love of his life! Look at Jesus prayer here in John 17.

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Jn 17:20-23 (NIV)

Jesus knew how to draw near to his Father to have deep, intimate fellowship. Jesus longed for intimacy with his Father and always made a way to spend special, focused time with the love of his life. It was not a chore. It was his greatest delight!

People often think that spending time with God is a chore that they must endure for the sake of righteousness. Performing the duty is not what relationship with God is all about! I would never want my wife to spend time with me because it was her duty. I want her to spend time with me because she loves me and wants to be with me.

Assuredly, intimacy with God is the most delightful, restful, yet energizing experience there is! When a person finds out how real he is and how in love he is with them, wonderful intimacy is sure to follow!

The first step in having an intimate relationship with God is recognizing that he is all around you and within you. Simply believing God is there is the beginning of a person’s most rewarding and fulfilling life. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith, it is impossible to please God. For those who come to him must believe that he exists and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.”

How about launching out into the deep with God? Yes – it may seem crazy, and without a doubt, it is uncharted territory; but oh, how wonderful it is! God loves you deeply and wants to share himself with you! Can I challenge you today? Would you like to go deeper into God than you ever have before? Don’t wait for tomorrow! Being intimate with God is a privilege that you have been granted through Jesus Christ! Today is your day, and now is your…

TIME TO STEP IN?