As I heard this song playing yesterday, I gave it a lot of thought. “I Long to Be One with You” by Terry McAlmon tells of a person who desperately desires a much closer relationship with Lord God Almighty, their loving heavenly Father.

If a person has never known or had a helpful relationship with their earthly father, they might have a difficult time understanding why they’d want a relationship with a God they can’t see or know physically. I had a father who loved his family much, trained my brother and me well, and set the example of the kind of person we should become. Of course, my loving mother had a huge hand in that as well. They both loved the Lord and taught us to also.

I’ve realized that when long-prayed prayers went unanswered, I let that draw me from the closeness I’d earlier had with my heavenly Father. For some time, I’ve been wanting to return to that intimacy, but I haven’t been willing to spend the time to do it. When I heard that song, I realized that now I need to choose whether I’m willing to do whatever it takes to surrender to his will for the rest of my life. I’m elderly, so I can only do so much to serve God by serving others. However, I believe God has a purpose for each person as long as they live, so am I willing to fulfill God’s purpose for me?

God’s answer to what it takes to have intimacy with Him is simple. Jeremiah tells us God’s plans for each of us who trusts Jesus as our personal Savior and Lord. When we do, we believe that his death on the cross and resurrection paid for our sins against the Lord, making us God’s child. All people are God’s creation, but only by believing in Jesus can we become a child of God.

Jeremiah 29:11-14a tells us: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you, declares the LORD.

When you seek me with all your heart tells us why this choice is one we must make carefully. It’s not something we can casually say we want to do and then do it half-heartedly. That’s why it’s taken me time to consider whether I’m willing to give up more than simply reading a chapter from the Bible and a short prayer time to meet with my loving Father. I don’t say I need to sacrifice time because previously I’ve given this time gladly and received a joy that I don’t have now.

Think of your best friend. Did you immediately become best friends who share all the secret things of their lives? No, there might have been an initial liking or connection over something you both share. But it would be rare if you met someone you’d never seen in a restaurant and immediately told them all the hurt you were feeling at that moment. Even more rare would be if you told them of a huge new love interest or a financial blessing, I think; unless you’re one of those people who tell everyone everything they know. Most of us don’t.

An intimate relationship with God compares to finding a best friend. Time brings us together and gives us special moments shared between only the two of us. Gradually we trust each other to share our deepest troubles but also our greatest joys. Something happens and we immediately think, I’ve got to tell my Bestie that, and we tell our Father.

As well as bringing all of our troubles, cares, and hurt to God and asking Him to help us deal with them and heal us, we also share all our joys. We thank Him that He listens to us and thank him for whatever gives us joy and peace. We thank Him for his amazing love that never leaves us, even when our relationship is estranged.

Then we listen as our heavenly Father whispers secrets to us. These are ways He can comfort us or tell us that at the right time, He will answer our prayers. He can help us know which way is a better decision, whether that affects our personal life or our work. We don’t hear an audible voice, but we do not doubt what is the correct direction.

Of course, only we will decide if we will follow that course because God does give us free will. He didn’t make us robots so we have to do what a loving Father says is the best path for our lives. Our Lord gives us room to fail, and we can do a great job of it. I’m glad we have that opportunity because we often learn better lessons from failure than we do from success.

I’ve made my decision, now the choice is yours. Do you want to be one with the Lord, for Him to be your best friend?