Hey there, friends! It's Cindy here, and I've been thinking a lot about something that's really close to my heart - intimacy with our heavenly Father.
You know, after 50 years of teaching women's Bible studies, I've noticed that we often miss out on this beautiful aspect of our faith.
In many Protestant circles, we tend to focus so much on studying the Word (which is great, don't get me wrong!) that we sometimes forget about the heart connection God desires with us.
It's like we're reading a love letter from our Father, but we're analyzing the grammar instead of feeling the love!
Think about it this way: imagine if your grown-up kids only talked to you about facts and figures, never sharing their hearts or giving you a hug.
As a grandmother of five wonderful grandkids and great grandmother of one, I can tell you that would break my heart! Our heavenly Father feels the same way - He wants that close, personal relationship with us.
Now, I know some of you might be thinking, "But Cindy, I struggle to see God as a loving Father. My own dad wasn't there for me." I get it, I really do.
That's where Jesus comes in. He shows us exactly what our real Father is like. Remember when He said, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9)? That's huge!
It's like when I'm cooking my family's favorite chicken pot pie. My grandchildren know it's made with love, just by tasting it. In the same way, when we look at Jesus in the Gospels, we're tasting the Father's love.
Here's the thing, though - choosing to believe and act on this truth is part of growing up in our faith. It's like when my son Ricky became a crew chief.
He had to trust his skills and knowledge, even when things got tough on the track. In the same way, we need to trust in God's love, even when our past experiences make it hard.
The Holy Spirit is key in all this. He's like our direct line to the Father, helping us experience that closeness we're meant to have.
It's not about religious rituals or trying to prove how spiritual we are. It's about opening our hearts and letting God in.
So, here's my challenge to you: take some time today to just be with the Father. Talk to Him like you would a loving parent.
Share your joys, your fears, your dreams. And then, listen. You might be surprised at how He speaks to your heart.
Remember, intimacy with God isn't something we achieve - it's a gift we receive through Jesus.
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