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Answer:

The fact that you’re asking this question is encouraging—you want to follow Jesus and grow closer to Him, even though that’s tough to do.  Jesus said, “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh” (Luke 6:21, ESV). A hunger to know God more will draw you closer to Him. But we all know our hunger for God comes and goes. So what can you do to stay hungry and draw nearer to Him over time?

The bible tells us that it is the Holy Spirit that guides us to all knowledge of God. It is the Holy Spirit that enables us to get closer to God, once we have been made just by faith in Jesus Christ. The most important foundation is to ask God to draw you closer to Him. The power to get closer and closer to God comes from God Himself. From our perspective, there are a number of things you can discipline yourself to do.

First, I’d like to suggest that there are a few basics that you need to persevere no matter how you’re feeling toward God at any given season of life: reading the Bible, praying, worshipping God alone and with others, meeting with other believers for encouragement & accountability, obeying God by his power & grace, and confessing your sins when you don’t obey. The basics involve more than just showing up at the right places & times—a listening ear and open heart toward God and others is needed. Ask God to give you the desire and ability to be consistent in the basics of the faith, along with a listening ear and open heart.

My second suggestion is about perspective and expectations. Do you expect that following Jesus will be easy? Do you expect that you’ll always feel close to God? The Psalms of Ascents (Psalm 120 – 134) are songs of Jewish pilgrims headed up to worship God in Jerusalem—it wasn’t an easy journey, and there were dangers and disappointments along the way. We, too, are walking through life on a difficult, often uphill pilgrimage, and our ultimate destination is Jesus Christ. Ask God to give you strength & wisdom for the journey, realistic expectations about the ups and downs, and help you consistently focus on Jesus along the way.

Finally, remember God’s boundless grace when you fail. This is not an excuse, but an encouragement. Have you ever felt like a bruised reed or a faintly burning wick? Here’s what God says, “[My Servant] will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench” (Isaiah 42:2-3, ESV). Remember the Father’s deep, deep love for you! He has bought you at great cost and will see your spiritual journey through. Your spiritual Dad calls you into an intimate love relationship with Himself. A source of strength for drawing near to your heavenly Father over the long haul—in the midst of life’s struggles and disappointments—is to remember how much He loves you. Papa loves you so much he sent his Son, Jesus, to die in your place (John 3:16, paraphrased)! Ask Him to help you remember—and experience—His amazing love for you.