"I live 4 U". These four words deeply and profoundly affect every aspect of my life. The words of Paul in Acts 17:28 reveal a powerful, foundational connection with God; "For in Him we live and move and have our being."
At the heart of our desire to connect with God is intimacy. We all desire a vibrant relationship with God by being connected with Christ. Through intimacy, this is possible. The best way I know how to describe intimacy is to break down the word by separating it into three smaller words: "Into me see."
This speaks of transparency and trust as our spiritual eyes are enlightened (Eph. 1:18). It describes an honesty and yearning to be known. I believe Jesus initiates this call of "into me see" because He desires for us to truly perceive the depths of His heart of love. As we gaze into Him we see truth. As we marvel at His majesty we learn to worship. In perceiving His goodness we are satisfied. "Into me see" will open our spiritual eyes with new insights. Yet, this is only part of the equation. We yearn to reciprocate and experience the eyes of the Lord gazing into our hearts- healing every wound, meeting every inadequacy, and satisfying every desire.
David puts it this way: " One thing I have asked from the Lord, that will I seek after—for me to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to see the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple" (Ps. 27:4).
How do we do this?
One of the keywords in our day and age that we hear often is "connecting." This word has become very popular in our culture and advertising. We connect to the internet, Wi-Fi and cellular towers. Our society is craving connection. Interestingly, the most popular devices including, iPhones, Androids, Tablets, iPods and iTunes are all created to enhance our ability to connect.
How many of the connections we make are actually authentic, essential and beneficial?
This is what I have learned:
- Our connections strengthen or weaken our focus
- Right connections are the spark of creative change
- Wrong connections undermine our momentum
- Above all, Holy Spirit connections release both favor and desire for intimacy
At the foundation of this series is the idea of connection. It begins and ends with intimacy with God. Jesus Christ connecting with us at the deepest level of whom and what we are is His heart's desire. Only when we understand this truth and experience of "into me see" does it also become our heart's desire. "I Live 4 U"
The Creator of the universe wants to be invited by the connection of our surrender to be a part of the deepest places of our hearts. He is not just observing our lives from a distance; He wants to be completely and continually involved. Our response to intimacy is to surrender our hearts in His presence like David.
Specifically, intimacy with God is connecting with both His love and His truth in such a strong, profound way that we are willing to surrender and prioritize our time to be alone with him.
Those minutes that we give up and use to solely focus on Him connect our entire day with more significant and Kingdom filled living. Intimacy with God builds trust in Him.
Today, surrender moments ... minutes ... time ... to be alone with God.
Connect with Him through intimacy and watch what He does in you! "I Live 4 U."
Next week, discover how His intimacy inspires. 
Mikel French has challenged "Spiritual Awakening" all across America, where many celebrations extended into multiple weeks, and has conducted celebrations in France, Sweden, Russia, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, Germany, South Africa, Malawi, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Haiti, Japan, Singapore, India and Thailand. He conducted an outreach celebration in Manila, Philippines reaching 200,000 teenagers with The Book of Hope. Through the generous support of partners, he has presented the message of Jesus Christ to millions of people in the nation of Russia through televised citywide Soul-Winning Celebrations. Mikel considers it an honor to assist in conducting The Annual Pastor's Conference, where thousands of pastors from Russia's 11 time zones come for training, teaching and equipping. Mikel and his wife, Marsha, reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Rebecca Moore contributed to this article.
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