How To Get Alone With God

I just had an experience with God like the ones I often long for. He felt near, His word was relevant for my heart, and I left with more peace than I arrived with. I now write from a place of longing. Longing that what I experienced this chilly Saturday morning would happen for you. That you would taste what I tasted, and “see that it is good”.

Let’s explore what abiding actually is and then I will offer two thoughts on abiding well.

We were made to abide

“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who abides (remains) in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.” - John 15:5

In the Christian life we are prone to focus more on the fruit, aren’t we? Articles on patience, sermons on financial stewardship, conversations about how to be less angry. It’s as if the whole of Christianity revolves around what we do and how we are changed. These are great things, but when we meditate on what Jesus is actually saying here, we see that we are guilty of focusing more on the fruit, than the abiding. We put the cart before the horse.

What is abiding?

The New English Translation’s study note is helpful when deciphering what the greek word (μένω) we translate as abide means.

The Greek word μένω (menoÒ) translated resides (in the NET Bible – TAR) indicates a close, intimate (and permanent) relationship between the believer and God. It is very important to note that for the author of the Gospel of John and the Johannine Epistles every genuine Christian has this type of relationship with God, and the person who does not have this type of relationship (cf. 2 John 9) is not a believer at all (in spite of what he or she may claim).

Abiding is an on-going, intimate fellowship with God. A soul level relationship that involves far more than the intellect, it involves the heart. It takes consistency, honesty, and effort. It’s a nearness to God.

As the branch is connected to the vine, drawing the nutrients and necessary fluids to sustain another day. So we must be with God often.

Get the order right

Focusing more on the fruits of being near to God, than the act of being near to God (abiding) is like inventing the light bulb without discovering how to harness electricity… it doesn’t work. Do you put more emphasis in your Christian life on the fruits, instead of abiding?

One of the reasons we do this is because one seems easier than the other. “No, the focusing on the fruits in my life is way harder!” you might retort. But, when I’m torn between spending an hour with God in prayer and spending an hour writing an article… the article seems easier.

When was the last time you spent an uninterrupted, devices off, hour with God?

A practical example

This weekend I had the house to myself. Earlier in the week, I had been feeling the draw into deeper fellowship with God. But because of my own lazy tendencies and a busy schedule, I pushed it off. But as Friday night came, I longed to be with Jesus. I can’t describe why, I just did. So I decided I would spend at least one hour uninterrupted with God in prayer and Bible reading the next day.

I don’t want to paint this more romantic than it was, when the time came to turn off my devices and get alone with God, my initial reaction was one of unpleasant uneasiness. “Really, on my day off? I’d rather play games… or watch tv…” But the fragrance of God’s glory hung just out of reach… and I knew it. My soul needed this. This is what Christianity is. Why would I pick creation over creator?

So I sat down and entered the throne room. And by the time my alarm went off, I wanted more time with the Holy One. It’s a bit like trying to tell someone about seeing the view from an airplane window seat, or a snowy capped mountain, or a window view in your study on a foggy and snowy winter’s morning with a cup of coffee. It’s hard to describe. All you can really do is say: “I hope you see it one day”.

I just want you to see what I saw, and you can’t do that via proxy. You must go.

Dear Christian, please. I promise you. What your soul needs more than anything else right now, is to just be with Him. More than how-to books and another article. You need to abide. You are as close to God as you want to be.

1- Don’t Rush, Slow Down

We are just now beginning to understand how the smartphone is wiring our brains. (source) One development is our smartphones are training us to be “information flickers”. Think about your cellphone habits. How fast do you flick through pictures, texts, information? If you’re like me (and what research shows) - you flick, fast. Absorbing, taking in an unbelievable amount of information.

What does this have to do with getting alone with God? I invite you to answer that question on your own. One example, though, is we are being disciplined to rush our quiet times. It’s hard to abide when you are always moving intellectually to the next thing.

2- Plan

You will never do what you leave to spontaneity. Block off time to abide with God in your weekly schedule. Be realistic. For me, this has looked like blocking off the ending portion of my day, 30 minutes, to be with God in prayer and bible reading. For you, it may look very different. The goal is the same, the application is different. Plan.

The counselor’s room

This quote was profoundly impactful for my understanding of God’s desire for me to simply abide with Him when I read it a few years ago in seminary. It get’s at the heart of what we are after in this article.

Sitting in the office, a worn-out man sat talking to his counselor:

“I know God is trying to get my attention. I just haven’t figured out yet what he wants my attention for. He must want me to do something.” I thought a moment. “Maybe,” I said,

“That’s the problem: you think he wants your attention in order for you to do something. Maybe he just wants your attention. Indeed, this is the essence of a Sabbath Heart: paying attention.” (Mark Buchanan)

Jesus finished his teaching on abiding by saying this in John 15:9: “As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you. Abide in my love”. He just wants your attention. Will you abide?

Learning to abide,

Josh.

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