Fear of Intimacy
Seems that a portion of Christians would fall into the category of those who either doubt the possibility of intimacy with God and/or despise those who claim to enjoy it.
I certainly understand wanting to safeguard against heresy, but Jesus plainly spells out a life of intimacy for His people. Not a mere closeness–the same intimacy He had, in fact.
Jesus shocked the religious leaders of the day by claiming God as His Father. That would have been enough to get them riled up, but we went further. He taught His disciples to pray, “our Father” and extended the same blessing of intimacy to all who believed in Jesus (and by extension, us).
Remember Jesus high-priestly prayer in John 17? It’s a powerful intercession to be sure.
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” –John 17:20-21
He desired for us to be intimately and wholly intertwined as He and the Father were and are. He then establishes another inconceivable thought–that we would all be in Him–one with His heart and purpose.
I think many mock and refuse to embrace this childlike intimacy because they fear they’ll lose their reverence for God. A child climbing into his father’s lap can enjoy the intimacy and still be in awe of how big, loving, and amazing his dad is. The two are not mutually exclusive.
Sure, some people don’t understand this intimacy correctly, but just because someone mishandles something God says is good doesn’t mean we should all shy away.
His word is still true. His promise still stands.
As Brennan Manning relayed the story of a broken woman who found healing in the arms of her Abba, Daddy God, I couldn’t help but be in awe again at the beautiful access He offers us. In his words,
Be aware, this is not sloppy sentimentality or indulgent wishful thinking. But rather a woman who dared to pray in the childlike trust and deep reverence that Jesus said would mark a disciple, and in doing so discovered the furious love of her Abba.
Why don’t you and I let our Father decide how much intimacy to allow us instead of our own religious comfort level? I think the fury of His delight in our simply coming to Him would shock us. The sloppy sentimentality is what I think people are afraid of, but really experiencing Him doesn’t lead to that sort of trifling. I believe true intimacy will draw us into Him and exponentially increase our reverence as we see Him more plainly.
That’s what I’m after. We could all lay down our guard and with abandon lift a praise,
Abba, I belong to You.
Welcome to week 3 of our book club discussion of the Furious Longing of God (disclosure) by Brennan Manning. We are taking a sentence, paragraph, or passage that inspires, encourages, or challenges and writing about it. If you have a response on your blog, head over to my friend and co-facilitator, Sarah Salter’s blog for the widget and another great take. Whether you’ve read the chapter or not, please share your thoughts! We always appreciate a vibrant conversation.
“A child climbing into his father’s lap can enjoy the intimacy and still be in awe of how big, loving, and amazing his dad is.” What an amazing thought! My heart’s desire is to think and act as if this is true.
Thomas Mason recently posted..I Belong To You
Definitely with you, Thomas. He’s so good to us! Thank you.
“Abba, I belong to you!” ~ What a battle-cry for the ages!
He truly desires for the intimacy of us relating to Him as Father and dwelling in the need of Him in our lives -- ever present.
Dusty Rayburn recently posted..Where My Abba Is
I remembered your post as I was writing--about how intimacy (or what we sometimes equate as intimacy) is not enough. There has to be a oneness. What a position and love He has lavished on us! Thanks Dusty.
The intimacy we have with our Lord is nothing that can be compared. It all starts with us going to his cross to repent of ourselves, Then we go higher in him to the throne room. And the best part is you don’t have to go to him when your down in the dumps only you can go anytime. He yearns for us to go anytime with every situation including our school & business life as well.
Any time, any situation, anything--He just wants us to come. So true! Thank you, Andrew.
That was a great story and a great prayer. I’m enjoying the book, it did make me sense to seek deeper and see myself as what I am. Floyd, my Father’s boy…
Incredible to know what He really thinks of us, isn’t it? He smiles when He considers who we are--who He made us to be and then delights to walk us along the path toward reaching fulfillment in Him. He’s so good! Thanks Floyd.
“Why don’t you and I let our Father decide”
amen Jason! Amen indeed!
HisFireFly recently posted..Learning to breathe
Man, I’ve gotten myself in trouble or bound up because I decided (or trusted someone’s wrong interpretation of) what God wants for me. He’s so good and faithful. His intimacy is available for those who come as children. Thank you, Karin.
It wasn’t until my earthly father died that I began to really understand God as my father. He revealed this relationship to me as I grieved and it completely revolutionized my relationship with Him!
When I come before God now, I trust that He is listening the way my earthly dad did. I have confidence He will do what is best for me and protect me. It’s really added to my ability to trust Him. I pray for an ever deeper relationship with Him for me and for everyone!
I’m amazed how God uses those types of experiences to draw us into Him and knowing Him in the more deep, intimate ways He created us for. There are so many responses we could have, but He is there for anyone who seeks. Thanks so much, TC.
When I spend time alone with God, or am just going through my day and offering up a prayer to Him, I call him Daddy. It definitely wasnt easy at first, because I didn’t have a good relationship with my earthly dad, so I really never used that word before in relation to someone else. He alone holds that title in my life. It may seem like it’s not a big deal, but to me, it’s a high level of intimacy for me to call him that.
Jason Vana recently posted..Healing Past
No, I definitely know where you’re coming from. That’s a big thing. It’s big enough to experience that level of intimacy with a dad on earth, but another to have it with the Creator of the universe. Incredible. Thank you, Jason.
For me, I find that the more alone time I spend with God, the more I learn to listen. And the more I listen, the more reverant I become because that time always leaves me in awe
Yes and amen to that, Vicky. Thank you.
HI Jason, This is defiantly a subject that I do not take lightly, This higher power “God” has gotten through plenty of hard times,comfort from above! Thanks for the prayers today and this great post. Chery
Chery Schmidt recently posted..Can Afformations Transform An Online Entrepreneurs Destiny?
Thank you, Chery!