God loves us and invites us into a relationship with himself.  But this relationship is not built on sentimentalism or doting fondness.  We experience intimacy with God when we exchange our life for the life of his Son Jesus.

Paul described this exchanged life when he said he had been “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20) and when he announced “Christ in you is the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).  It is when we surrender all that we are and hope to be for who Jesus is and forever will be that we enjoy fellowship with God and fulfillment in this life.

So the motivation for spiritual disciplines is rooted in our basic desire to give up our lives for his.  We understand that pursuing our own interests will fall short of God’s best.  So we choose daily to pursue Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to refine us.

Sometimes we assume that because we want to follow Jesus, the passionate pursuit of him will be natural, or even easy.  That is simply not the case.  Spiritual disciplines require discipline…the daily decision to choose the best over the good.

For me, it means I rise earlier than I would otherwise.  It means I choose to listen to God’s voice before I listen for the voice of others.  It means I do what I do not prefer in order to become more of what Jesus wants me to become.  It means that I choose his life over mine in the ordinary and obscure practices of my life.

Some people call this religion.  But religion is intensity without intimacy.  On the other hand, authentic devotion is always fueled by a passionate pursuit of the One who is worth our lives.  And out of this intimate fellowship flows the energy and insight necessary for Christ-honoring service to others.  Before we ever win with others in public, we walk with God in private.

So find a quiet place every day.  Read the Bible.  Memorize it. Talk to God. Miss meals to seek him with intensity. And surrender your best for his.

I would love to know how God uses your daily disciplines to strengthen your fellowship with Jesus.  Click the “Comment” button below to join the conversation.