🌿 Closeness with Jesus- Part 1

What Does It Mean to Be Close to Jesus?

Welcome to a special weekend edition I’m calling “Closeness with Jesus.” This series comes straight from my heart and the honest questions I’ve been asking as I long to know the Lord more deeply. It’s not about being scholarly or perfect—it’s about being real, open, and teachable.

I’m starting with a question I’ve asked the Lord directly:

“What does it truly mean to be close to You?”

Here’s what I’ve come to understand so far…

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To be close to Jesus means to:

• To be close to Jesus means to:
• 🌿 Abide in Him (John 15:4)
• 👂 Hear His voice (John 10:27)
• ❤️ Love Him more than anything else (Mark 12:30)
• 📖 Obey His words (John 14:23)
• 🕊️ Trust His Spirit to guide your every step (Romans 8:14)
• 🤲 Share in His joys and His sufferings (Philippians 3:10)

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Closeness is not always a feeling—it is a union.

A shared life.

A dwelling together.

And it starts with something Jesus already promised:

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

—James 4:8

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💫 1. Closeness with Jesus Is a Relationship, Not a Ritual

Many people confuse being near religion with being near Christ.

But closeness with Jesus means walking and talking with Him—like a friend, a disciple, a beloved child.

Think of it this way:

• Not just reading the Bible, but hearing Him speak through it.
• Not just praying with words, but leaning your heart into His presence.
• Not just knowing about Him, but being known by Him. (John 10:14)

“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

—John 17:3

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🌱 2. It Is Built on Abiding (John 15:4)

Jesus said clearly:

“Abide in Me, and I in you.” —John 15:4

To abide means to remain, to make your home in Him. That’s closeness.

It means:

• We don’t visit Jesus—we live with Him.
• We don’t reach out to Him only in crisis—we cling to Him always.
• Every day becomes a conversation, not just a spiritual event.

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🏡 What Does It Mean to Make Your Home in Jesus?

Jesus also said:

“Abide in Me, and I in you… I am the vine, you are the branches.”

—John 15:4–5

The word abide (Greek: menō, μένω, Strong’s G3306) means:

• To stay, dwell, remain
• To live in one place, not depart
• To endure, to not flee

So when Jesus says “Abide in Me,” He’s inviting you to make your spiritual home in Him—your resting place, your shelter, your center.

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✨ Here’s how to make your home in Him:

1. Let Him Be Your First Thought, Not Your Last Resort

• Making your home in Him means you don’t go to Him just when you’re in trouble—you start there.
• It’s waking up and recognizing His nearness before the day even begins.

2. Stay Emotionally Present with Him

• Talk to Him throughout the day—not just formally, but honestly.
• When you’re sad, say it.
• When you’re glad, invite Him into your joy.
• He’s the One who wants to be with you in all of it.

3. Anchor Your Identity in His Love

• A home is where you know you belong. Making your home in Jesus means accepting that your worth, your value, your identity are all in Him—not in what you do or how you feel.
• Say this to yourself: “I live in the truth that I am loved, chosen, and held by Him.”

4. Clear Out the Room

• Just like cleaning a house for someone to move in, sometimes you have to remove distractions, idols, or even internal noise.
• You might ask: “Lord, is there anything in me that crowds You out?” and He’ll show you gently.

5. Stay through the Storms

• You don’t pack up and leave your home during a storm—you take shelter there.
• So abiding means staying with Him even when things don’t make sense. Especially then. When you “make your home in Him,” it’s not about achieving spiritual perfection—it’s about choosing Him, again and again, until His presence becomes the atmosphere you breathe. 🌬️

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🔥 3. It Involves the Whole Heart, Not Just the Mind

God doesn’t just want our thoughts. He wants our affections.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”

—Mark 12:30

Closeness means:

• Loving Jesus more than comfort, approval, or even understanding.
• Wanting to please Him, not just avoid sin.
• Letting our love become the reason for our obedience.

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🤍 4. It Grows Through Trust

We walk closer to Jesus by trusting Him, especially in the dark places.

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

—James 4:8

When we don’t understand, but we still stay—that’s closeness.

When we hurt, but we still pray—that’s closeness.

When we rejoice and we remember Him first—yes, that’s closeness too.

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🌺 Closing Thought

I’m not writing this as someone who’s figured it all out.

I’m writing as someone who used to wonder how on earth people could “pray without ceasing”… and now can’t imagine not thinking of Jesus every moment. 💭

This isn’t about trying harder. It’s about loving deeper. It’s about staying home—in Him.💕

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