Intimacy.
This is something I am struggling with greatly.
Before you start making assumptions, can we pick apart what Intimacy is and how it affects us?
Okay, Merriam-Webster's defines "Intimacy" as the state of being intimate : familiarity
Merriam-Webster also lists these synonyms: belonging, closeness, inseparability, familiarity, nearness
These are all very desirable things.
Belonging. We all want, and maybe inherently feel like we need to belong to either something or someone, or maybe even both.
Closeness. How much better do we feel about life when we have someone to be close to. Human fellowship and contact is naturally comforting. Of course you have those people who swear they hate human contact and all that jazz, but I'm telling you, even those people have days when they just need a hug!
Inseparability. Have you ever had that one friend that you're inseparable with? Maybe you haven't, or maybe it has been years. But what an awesome thing to share with someone. The knowledge that no matter what happens, no matter what life has to throw at you, your relationship and your closeness cannot and will not change. That is complete security.
Familiarity. Think of that one person (or maybe persons) that when you enter their home, you immediately kick off your shoes, hop on their couch, and sprawl out like you own that Lazy Boy sofa. That kind of familiarity only happens with some people, but isn't awesome when you don't have to sit like a statue on someone couch?
Nearness. I'm and extrovert. Sometimes I'm a very introverted extrovert, though. I love being with people, but too many people make me anxious, so it's real awkward. Anyway, I value being near people. Even if that means I sit in the music building at school for hours on end just to be near people, well then that's what it looks like. But it makes me feel better.
Okay, so these are all things that can be viewed in a very general life kind of way. And even then, It is so desirable, and I want these things in my life. It almost seems like a life without these things would be very empty. So the desire for intimacy is there, yes. Okay, add the fact that I'm single and multiple those desire by five hundred. Okay, whoa, that is a really strong desire for intimacy. So, you see where I'm struggling right?
So, where does this leave me?
Well, it leaves me wanting to be too close with people, wanting relationships that aren't ready to happen, and wanting nearness of people to satisfy my need for intimacy.
Stop.
Stop trying to force intimacy between people, when you are offered the ultimate form of intimacy every...day...of...your...life.
Every second we exist our creator yearns to have intimacy with us.
Remember before, when I multiplied my own desire for intimacy times five hundred? Yeah, well multiply it times like a billion and that doesn't even begin to describe the desire God has to be intimate with us. He wants us. Always. He wants our intimacy and love. And through intimacy with Him, we would be complete. Through intimacy with Jesus Christ I find where I belong. Through intimacy with Jesus Christ I feel a closeness to the Father that fulfills my soul. Through intimacy with Jesus Christ I am completely inseparable from his heart.
Through intimacy with Jesus Christ I have familiarity and comfort in him. Through intimacy with Jesus Christ I have a nearness that is always satisfied despite the presence of people in my life.
Intimacy with Jesus is everything.
And I am so thankful for this. It is not forced, but it is freely and joyfully given. For I am His, and He is mine. He is my beloved, my redeemer. My comfort and my stronghold. He is all I will ever need.
