Our Longing For Intimacy

Intimacy is hard to come by these days. In the run run run culture in which we live, it is hard to give our full attention or affection to anyone or anything, and in the process, we end up feeling alone and isolated. Not to mention, exhausted, worn out and weary. And in a “what have you done for me lately?” world, intimacy (commodity; useful, valuable) is often replaced by consumption; use and then discard. Isn’t it also true that we have closets filled with costumes and masks, allowing us to dress up rather than be who we really are.     

There is a longing in our heart for intimacy. Intimacy is defined as a “close familiarity or friendship; closeness.” It is unconditional acceptance; being cared for, known, understood, and loved for who we are. It is not having to wear a mask and pretend we are someone we are not. In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, he puts our need for love and belonging just above our basic (physiological, safety) needs. Maslow argued that our need for love and belonging must be satisfied before we can fulfill our higher need for esteem (respect, accomplishment) and self-actualization (achieving one’s full potential). We often try to fill our love and belonging void with those other needs, only finding we still have an emptiness.

Not only do we long for intimacy with others, we have a God who also longs for intimacy with us. I believe that our starting place for true intimacy is with God. If we cannot find intimacy with a perfect God, it sure is hard to find real intimacy with imperfect people. In our intimacy with God, we begin to find freedom; freedom to be and become our genuine selves, which in turn helps us find the kind of intimacy in other relationships that we so long to have.

Intimacy with God means we are never alone. Jesus had such an intimacy with God that it allowed him be at peace, to feel loved, to be confident, no matter the circumstances. God desires to be intimate with us; for us to put him first in our lives and to trust him with our lives. In the context of Yahweh being Israel’s gracious redeemer, here is what Yahweh says – “But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the Lord. “You are my servant. You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God—there never has been, and there never will be” (Isaiah 43:10).

We are told in Scripture that if we earnestly seek after God, we will find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29) and that if we draw close to God, he draws close to us. In James 4:8 we read this, “Come close to God and he will come close to you.”  

In our longing for intimacy, we first find it in and with God! Are you seeking God’s presence today?

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