God Is the Goal

Intimacy begins once you realize that you are loved by God. That no matter what you do, God does not stop His love for you. It is the reason why the Incarnate God in Christ was revealed. God is love and always will love. This truth to me helps me in my intimate moments. There have been times when I have not been proud of my actions and conduct. Too many times I know that I have not represented God like God expects me to do so. Yet, God still chooses to see about me and let me know that He is there. Perhaps the most intimate moments are the times when the sweet whisper of God the Holy Spirit will remind you that He loves you.
The love of God from God is the affirmation that we thirst for. This is why people try so hard to fit in and be accepted. Everyone desires to know that they matter and have value. They crave feeling of worth and merit. I am a living example. This is why I tried to find happiness through wealth and notoriety. I was on the wrong chase. What I was really after was for someone to notice me and recognize me for what I had. This was a pursuit of emptiness. Once I embraced the love of God my life changed, even though the struggle for acceptance remained.
Intimacy with God reaffirms the fact that human life matters to God and we cannot live without the loving intimacy of our Creator. Knowing and experiencing intimacy with God will curb our appetite for seeking acceptance and approval of others, illuminating a new life encounter that provides focus and direction. Once the believer understands that she is loved intimately by God, she sees how to love herself and her neighbor. In a supernatural way, I believe that intimacy with God can deliver people from various addictions. I know this to be true from the countless number of testimonies I hear on a consistent basis from those who surrender their lives to the love of God. Often people venture off into addictions and substance abuse because love and attention from others was nonexistent and/or sporadic. But the love of God is consistent and available for anyone who believes God, accepts it and pursues it. I have heard brothers testify to me that when they finally understood that God loved them and that they did not need powder, crack, alcohol or sex to fix their need for validation as men. They were able to break free. They learned that they were loved accepted and affirmed by God. They grew in their relationship with God and experienced intimacy with God. This is the goal of life.
As I experienced my own struggles in life, especially in preparation for ministry, trying to “fit in” or be accepted, I would have some pretty intense conversations, if not arguments, with some of my colleagues. I received hurtful darts and accusations regarding my beliefs and understanding that pierced my soul while preparing for ministry. Let me explain, in ministry everyone has their views concerning truth, especially the validity and truth of the Bible as the Word of God. With people who can craft intelligent arguments these truths come out. Many of my colleagues based their truth from their experience as most people do. The lens through which we view scripture often shapes out interpretation. Many of my soon to be ministers had deep issues with the Bible or at least how the Bible has been used. When it came to my interpretation, I believed and still do believe that Bible is the guide through which we view God interact with humanity throughout a long period history. I believe that it is the word of God. It is a guide for daily living and drawing closer to God. For me, it is not a mere collection of ancient writings that has no present validity. No, it is the word of God that through the teaching and wisdom of the indwelling Holy Spirit of the believer can lead anyone to the Truth that is God. Believe it or not, I was attacked for believing in the Gospel message and the foolishness of its salvation message (I Corinthians 1:18). I could not understand people who were preparing to be ministers would discredit and trash another’s experience as well as the sacred text. I would rack my brain trying to understand the ridicule and chastisement I received from brothers and sisters preparing for ministry. I believe in the power of God through the preached word and do not relegate the miracle of God to ancient times. If God is the same yesterday, today and forever more that surely miracles are still a vivid reality and part of our present existence. But, some of my colleagues begged to differ. Again, their experience shaped their truth as did mine. I was not totally innocent. God was teaching me to have a sensitivity to other voice and experiences that differed from my own. Everyone has their own path and journey to travel and I have to learn patience and the art of respectful disagreement.
I was partly to blame for some of the arguments and misunderstandings. I wrestled with an idol of significance because I yearned to be heard. Wanting to be heard was an issue that extended from childhood. As the youngest child in the neighborhood it felt as if I really didn’t matter. I was just a tag along with my sister (intimate time with God revealed that). On many occasions, I would return to my dormitory, praying and honestly asking God to grant me revelation or truth regarding my life. Nothing warmed my heart more that hearing God in the Holy Spirit whisper to me that He loved me. I have heard God whisper on multiple occasions “I love you.” I am sure that many of you have heard God say the same. To hear the voice of God in that moment tell me that He loves me in the reassuring power that I need to survive and endure. This was not to assume that I was always right in the dialogue or debate. God would convict me on my approach and when I was wrong. But even giving the rebuke or correction of God in those moments I am still able to participate in the intimate love of God who disciplines us for our good that we may share in his holiness (Hebrews 12:10). This is intimacy—a loving and present relationship with the God of creation who calls you His own and loves you in spite of yourself—is the goal of life.
Knowing God in an intimate way is where the channels of communication with the Father are open, available and clear. Jesus Christ made it so through the supreme sacrifice on the cross. And now every believer has access to the throne of grace with the High Priest in Jesus who intercedes on our behalf (Hebrews 4:12-14; 12:2). Knowing and embracing this truth coupled with the amazing reality that God journeys through heaven and earth to give us a personal word illustrates the level of intimacy that is attainable to anyone who believes is priceless. This is love and the goal. Charles Spurgeon reminds us that “He who has loved you and pardoned you will never cease to love and pardon.” Knowing that I am not alone encourages me to live and love.