A restored relationship with God must come through Christ, who is the Savior. He alone has been given the keys to the heart, that lead to peace. In Christ all the fullness of the deity dwells, in bodily form (Col. 2:9). There is a void in the human heart, designed by God Almighty, which only Christ can fill. Jesus said, “Look to me! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20) When you open the door of your heart to him, he will come in!
- If you’re going south in your relationship with God, something is standing in the way. Maybe more than one “something.” Isaiah directly spoke to those who had lost touch with God.
Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities (doing your own thing) have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. (Isa 59:1-2 NIV)
Habits, thoughts, actions, or things we neglect maybe standing in the way. Admit them to the Lord. Scripture promises that “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
- Once we do feel distant from Christ, many people wait around for a feeling to bring them back to Christ. If in your words you’re “not really worshipping like I used to,” here’s a thought. Worship anyway. Do the things you know to do, with or without the feelings. If you’re struggling, like I do sometimes, just ask God for help – not to feel something, but to do something. He will provide you with all the power you’ll need.
- Fools and the wise are known by their companions (Proverbs 13:20). That’s certainly true of people, but it’s also true of things like what you read, the music you listen to, or your entertainment choices. Find people and environments that encourage you to move closer to the Lord. That may require you to say no – at least for a season – to things or people who hinder your intimacy with Christ. This may be difficult. But it’s what you NEED to do!
You need time to yourself to pray, reconnect with God, listen for His voice, and sort your life out some. You won’t tend to get that when you’re constantly bombarded with people, room noise, or media. However, I’m a music listener. I keep a playlist of those songs that inspire, motivate, or seem to draw me back to God on YouTube or Pandora on my phone or IPad. Music is a powerful spiritual force!
4. Just because you aren’t very faithful doesn’t mean He isn’t. Paul said that “if we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown himself”
(2 Timothy 2:13).
God is faithful to love you, even when you don’t deserve it (as if we ever do). He is faithful to heal you, even when you feel broken into a million pieces. God is faithful to forgive you, even when you have failed Him greatly. He is faithful to strengthen you, especially when you have no strength of your own. The Lord is faithful to keep His commitments to you – but He’s also faithful to keep your commitments to Him!
- However far away you may feel, and however that may have changed your daily choices and lifestyle, you have a Heavenly Father who still knows how to run to you when you come home. All it takes is a willingness to remember those former days when things were spiritually strong, turn your heart and action back to that, and do again what you once did. He takes care of the rest.
I encourage you to set your heart – to make a commitment to restore your relationship with God. It will be an awesome to experience restoration through the presence of Christ! Christ comes in, and restores his love in your heart. He begins to restore your love for people… He restores your hunger for prayer and the things of God. The compassion of Christ moves you to help other people, and to make Christ’s love known. You experience a new peace, a new sense of wholeness, a new hope. Even though circumstances may be difficult, you experience the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. As Paul did, you have found the secret of being content whatever the circumstances. The peace of Christ rules in your heart once again.
