Seeking God’s Presence, Not Just His Presents
Many of us have a tendency to approach God when we need something. We pray fervently when we’re struggling, but once our problems are resolved, we drift away until the next crisis arises. This pattern can create a relationship with God that is more transactional than relational. But what if we sought His presence, rather than just His presents?
A Powerful Reminder from Joyce Meyer
I was inspired to reflect on this after reading The Pathway to Success by Joyce Meyer. In the book, she points out how often we treat God like a giver of gifts rather than a loving Father we desire to spend time with. This idea struck me deeply because it’s something I’ve talked about before — how easy it is to go to God only when we need something, but not just to be with Him.
Joyce Meyer used a great analogy: Imagine if her grandkids only came to visit when they wanted a gift — money, a present, or something else. As soon as they received what they wanted, they would leave, never stopping by simply to spend time with her or to check in on how she was doing. That would feel disappointing and one-sided, wouldn’t it? Yet, that’s exactly how God feels when we only seek Him in times of need.
Building a Relationship, Not Just Requesting Help
Think about your closest friendships. If you had a friend who only contacted you when they needed a favor, it wouldn’t take long for the relationship to feel draining and superficial. Healthy relationships require consistent connection, laughter, deep conversations, and moments of simply enjoying each other’s company. Our relationship with God should be no different.
God desires our presence, not just our requests. He wants us to talk to Him about everything — not just when we’re struggling, but also when we’re happy, grateful, or even when we just want to share a small joy from our day. Our relationship with Him should be a daily, ongoing conversation rather than an emergency hotline.
A Lighthearted Example of Seeking God’s Presence
I came across a TikTok video that beautifully illustrated this point. A woman shared how she had been craving a milkshake from Chick-fil-A, and she casually told God about it in prayer. She felt a nudge from Him saying, “Go get a milkshake!” So she did. She went out, got her milkshake with extra cookie crumbles, and just enjoyed spending time with God in that moment.
This simple yet profound experience was a reminder that our relationship with God doesn’t have to be stiff and rigid. He delights in spending time with us, whether it’s during an in-depth prayer session or something as simple as a spontaneous trip to grab a treat.
Making Time for Daily Connection
Lately, I’ve been reflecting more on the importance of building a consistent, intimate relationship with God. It’s not just about praying when I need something — it’s about checking in daily, laughing with Him, and being honest about how I’m feeling.
We can make spending time with God a habit by:
- Talking to Him throughout the day, not just during scheduled prayer times
- Sharing our joys and small moments, not just our struggles
- Reading His Word and reflecting on what He wants to speak into our lives
- Worshiping and thanking Him, even when things are going well
A relationship with God should be like a daily walk with a close friend — something we look forward to, not just a last resort when life gets tough.
Final Thoughts
Reading Joyce Meyer’s words really resonated with me, and I hope this message resonates with you too. Let’s be intentional about seeking God for who He is, not just for what He can give us. When we do that, our relationship with Him deepens in ways we never imagined.
If this post spoke to you, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Let’s build a community of believers who are passionate about growing in our relationship with God. Leave a comment, share your experiences, and let’s encourage one another on this journey. Stay blessed!
