a great way. The Amplified translation expresses the full force of
Paul’s passion: “My determined purpose is that I may know Him—
that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately
acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and
understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more
clearly.”^16
The truth is—you are as close to God as you choose to be.
Intimate friendship with God is a choice, not an accident. You
must intentionally seek it. Do you really want it—more than
anything? What is it worth to you? Is it worth giving up other
things? Is it worth the effort of developing the habits and skills
required?
You may have been passionate about God in the past but
you’ve lost that desire. That was the problem of the Christians in
Ephesus—they had left their first love. They did all the right
things, but out of duty, not love. If you’ve just been going
through the motions spiritually, don’t be surprised when God
allows pain in your life.
Pain is the fuel of passion—it energizes us with an intensity to
change that we don’t normally possess. C. S. Lewis said, “Pain is
God’s megaphone.” It is God’s way of arousing us from spiritual
lethargy. Your problems are not punishment; they are wake-up
calls from a loving God. God is not mad at you; he’s mad
aboutyou, and he will do whatever it takes to bring
you back into fellowship with him. But there is an
easier way to reignite your passion for God: Start
asking God to give it to you, and keep on asking
until you have it. Pray this throughout your day:
“Dear Jesus, more than anything else, I want to
get to know you intimately.” God told the
captives in Babylon, “When you get serious about finding
me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be
disappointed.”^17
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