We are all different. God made us different on purpose. The same things that bring deep connection and intimacy in my relationship with God may make you wither up and die. Throughout history and the Bible different people connected deeply with God in very different ways. We do begin to see patterns of how these men and women have connected deeply with God. Understanding these, "pathways" of connection can help you find a deeper intimacy with God once you identify how you connect best with the Lord.
The 7 Pathways
1) Relational Pathway - People who grow best through relationships and community.
2) Intellectual Pathway - People who grow best through study and intellect.
3) Serving Pathway - People who grow best through serving.
4) Contemplative Pathway - People who grow best through solitude.
5) Activist Pathway - People who grow best through changing the world around them for God's purposes.
6) Creation Pathway - People who grow best through being in nature.
7) Worship Pathway - People who grow best through worship.
You will probably identify with more than one of these pathways. There will be some of these that you know for sure are strong pathways for you. Other pathways will be obviously not a connection for you. For example, I primarily connect with God through relationships, activism, and creation. I connect the least through contemplative, worship, and serving. This does not mean that I cannot connect with God through the last 3, but if I try to connect with him Primarily through these I will wither up spiritually.
So if I am to grow in intimacy with God I must use what I know about how God has hard wired me and leverage it so that I continue to grow in passion for Him. I take what I call "Jesus walks" from time to time. I will go out to a trail in the woods at the local park and just walk and talk with Jesus. For some reason sitting in my office or indoors just starts to wear on me after a while. I need to get out in creation and just take it all in. Simply doing this refreshes me and restores my soul. I make sure that I plan times of just being with people that I love. I go out to my parents house regularly and just sit and talk with them. I will rearrange my schedule when siblings come into town. I give myself ample time for relationships with people who fill my cup up.
One should use all of these pathways to grow with God. You should know who God has made you to be and leverage that for your own spiritual growth. Your spiritual growth in your own responsibility. It is not the fault of the pastor, the small group leader, your spouse or anyone else if you do not develop your relationship with God.
In Jesus Name
Jarrett
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