God’s Intimacy, God’s Pursuit, and God’s Suddenly

This past year has been one of heartbreak and loss for so many. I’ve spent many times reflecting back over the year and asking God to reveal Himself in all of this tragedy. 

God is good. Which means anything that is not good, isn’t God. We’ve seen a lot of bad in our world so when I was seeking and asking Him to reveal Himself, I was truly asking Him to show me the good. 

One day, I got a one word response:

INTIMACY

The world was, and in many cases, still is shut down. People were literally sent home, stores closed, jobs were lost, lives were lost. 

But in all of this, God revealed an opportunity to experience a whole new intimacy with Him. So many distractions were stripped away and there was a new hunger that arose. 

The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.    

Jeremiah 31:3

When the world turned dark and quiet, the Lord has been able to shine bright and His voice is able to speak above the noise that used to be there. If you allow yourself, you can experience His everlasting love and faithfulness in a whole new way!

This intimacy opens up the opportunity for so many to truly rely on Him. Including myself:

I went through a period last year where I felt so separated from God - I was extremely disconnected, but worse, I had no motivation to pursue Him. 

But one thing became clear - He never stopped pursuing me. And in the middle of this difficult season, He appeared...

SUDDENLY!!

God’s suddenly is so beautiful and powerful. No matter how lost you feel, when His suddenly comes rushing in, you can’t deny it. And it’s always at the perfect time!

After He came rushing back in, I experienced breakthrough in every area of my life and with that, this new found intimacy. 

Friend, I promise you,

No matter where you are in your faith.

No matter what lies the enemy whispers to you.

No matter what the natural world looks like around you.

Your loving Father is right there, with arms open, ready to show you more about who He is and who you are in Him. He is constantly pursuing you, even in the silence.

Can I share one of the biggest blessings during my time of drought?

Friendship. 

I had a friend who was experiencing a new level of intimacy with God, a new fire that I had never seen in her before. She was pursuing Him in every area of her life! And even though I wasn’t feeling that way in those moments, I wanted to. 

So I spent time with her, asking her questions, listening to her stories and what God was showing her, celebrating her successes. That last one was difficult because I was feeling so defeated and that there was no way I would ever get there. 

Do you know what she did for me?

She allowed me to be vulnerable and completely honest about what I was feeling and struggling with. And she showed me grace in her listening. 

Sometimes, we need people in our lives to just listen.

And to show grace in that listening.

No words were needed. I just wanted to be heard in my honesty without the fear of judgement. And that’s what she did.

If you are experiencing a drought like I did, don’t stop moving! Even if you can only take a few steps each day, even if you need time to rest, it’s okay. God is right there with you, celebrating you, loving you, and ready to give you His suddenly!

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

And when you look back on that time, you will see how He was there every step of the way, chasing after you. Even in the silence. 

You will look back and know that you are stronger from that difficult season. Stronger in Him and in who you are. 

And what’s even more powerful, you will be placed in a position to help others struggling. God will use you in other’s lives like He used Morgan in mine.

And that friends, is an incredible feeling.

xoxo,

Sarah

P.S. I want to give a special shoutout and thank you to my friend Morgan for just listening to me. I appreciate you girl!