Seek God First

God desires a personal relationship with each one of us. He wants us to know Him intimately, which helps build our trust in Him. After all, it’s difficult to trust someone you don’t know. But how do we start building our relationship with God?

Believe That He Is God

First, we must believe that God is who He says He is—the true and living Creator of the universe. He is not a fictional character or a figment of our imagination. Although we may not see God face to face, the world around us points to His existence. His fingerprints are everywhere: in the trees, grass, animals, and water bodies we observe, as well as in the intricate makeup of our own bodies. As Hebrews 11:3 states, “By faith, we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”

Believe That He Loves You Deeply

Next, believe that God loves you deeply and only wants the very best for you. He is interested in every aspect of your life and desires to be invited in. The Bible tells us that He “knitted” us together in our mother’s womb, knows our thoughts, and has even numbered the strands of hair on our head. His love is so great that He made the ultimate sacrifice by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the debt for our sins: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Believe That He Desires a Relationship with You

God, who created the universe and everything in it, desires for His creation to know Him intimately—especially those He created in His image. Scripture is filled with passages that depict God’s desire for fellowship and relationship with His people. Revelation 3:20 clearly expresses God’s yearning: “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”

How to Pursue God

Now that we know God desires intimacy with us, how do we pursue Him?

1. Prayer: Spend time talking to God every day. Not just about your wants and needs, but ask Him to reveal Himself to you in a deeper way. He promises us that “when you seek me, you will find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). Remember to thank Him for His goodness and mercies that you have experienced.

2. Read the Bible: The Bible is God’s word and reveals who God is. Admittedly, God’s Word can be challenging to understand at times, but ask the Holy Spirit to help you. You can also explore different Bible versions to find one that is easier to understand. Make reading the Bible a daily and intentional habit, as it serves as your compass for navigating life.

3. Godly Community: Seek a Godly community like a church, ministry, or prayer group that teaches the Word of God. This community should help you grow in your relationship with God and lovingly guide you to develop and exhibit the fruits of the Holy Spirit noted in Galatians 5:22-23. The focus of this community should be to honour God and bring glory to Him.

4. Spend Personal Time with God: Just as you would with a good friend or close family member, spend personal time with God. This can include prayer, Bible study, praise and worship, and meditating on His Word. Talk to Him about everything and create space to listen to what He’s saying to you.

5. Obedience: When God tells you to do something, do it. You may not understand the why now, but it will work out for your good and His glory. I want to share a short testimony about obedience: In 2020, the Lord instructed me to pay off my personal debts. At the time, I had several unsecured loans, a credit card, and a mortgage. I started consuming content on debt repayment to gain insights and, by 2023, had paid off everything except my mortgage and one unsecured loan. In 2024, my employer of 18 years laid off staff members, including myself. However, because I had been obedient in paying off my debts, I had my mortgage and one unsecured loan to focus on. As it relates to my mortgage, I’d been making additional payments to reduce that as well, so, when I received my severance, I used a portion to pay off the mortgage completely. Now, even though I am unemployed, I have some peace of mind because I was able to pay-off all of my debts with the exception of an unsecured loan for which I am making monthly payments. I didn’t understand why God wanted me to pay off my debts in 2020, but it’s clear to me now.

Final Thoughts

Remember, you have a God who is all-knowing, all-powerful, and unchanging, who wants you to know Him and experience His love. He has good plans for your life and will guide you to navigate it for the best possible outcomes.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” – Matthew 6:33 (NLT)