Intimacy With God in Busy Seasons

As women of many talents, strengths, and schedules, finding intimacy with God when we are going non-stop can be a challenge. So how can we create connection with God right where we are?

I believe it comes down to three questions: Who am I? Does God really love me? What is my purpose?

3 Useful Questions to Build Intimacy

Who Am I?

It can be hard to know who you are if you are not sure where to find God. And it can be even more frustrating if you are trying to figure out how to create an intimate space with Him.

When we understand who God is (how He works, how He speaks, and what He likes), then we can foster opportunities for flourishing and growth. God’s abundance is never lacking; it is overflowing! So as you develop your personal rhythm, the sky is the limit!

Does God Really Love Me?

Once you have an understanding of who God is, then most of the time, things will click. He will give you an insight and revelation that you are His beloved and you are loved with an everlasting love. And remember: God loves you for who you are, not what you do.

What is My Purpose?

From knowing who God is and knowing He loves you, you can then figure out what your purpose is. You do this by staying in close communion with the Father, hearing and following his leading.

How Can I Create Intimacy With God?

Intimacy with God comes after you have accepted Christ as your personal Savior. This is a lifestyle where we begin to grow and mature in Him. 

So how do we do that? There is no easy answer because everyone’s walk with Christ is very different. However, one thing remains consistent, and that is that intimacy takes time and it is a process. 

Express Your Need For Him

One tangible way to develop intimacy with God is to express your utter need for Him.

Years ago, in my quest to know more about Him, I quickly learned that everything we do must come from Him. And I believe there is power and renewal that can be found in humility and laying down our agendas for the will of God. (And how humbling it was for me, the First Lady who is supposed to know how to do these things had to start at the beginning!)

A few years back, I asked my good friend from Africa, Joyce, to come to visit. She was such an incredible woman of prayer, so I brought her in to teach the women of my church how to pray. I remember telling her, “Joyce, half the time I don’t feel like praying, and I know half the time these women don’t either!”

She looked me in the eyes and said, “Trina, the first thing you do is pray for God to give you the grace to pray.” And that changed everything! 

When we cry out to God and ask Him to give us His favor and love, we admit our need for Him.

When We Are Just Too Busy

I have yet to meet a Christian woman who does not desire to be intimate with God. But, unfortunately, in seasons of busyness, it can be disappointing when we can’t find the margin to spend the time we want with Him. 

As a wife, I desire to have intimacy with my husband. However, over the time we have been married, I have learned that for that to happen may sometimes require doing things that are important to Him. (And this requires what? That’s right, TIME!)

We have to choose to do things that are important to God. But what do you do when you don’t have the energy or time and overwhelming guilt steps in?

The Guilt of Not Doing Enough

The key to combatting the guilt of not having the margin to seek intimacy with God is to constantly declare your utter dependence on God.

All it takes is a simple, “Lord, I can't do this unless you help me to do it!”

If this is all you can do to start your day, run with it! Apply this daily dependence on God to every area of your life. And soon, as you rely on Him, you will begin to see that every moment in your day is ordained by Him. 

If I come home and I am too exhausted to spend the time I want to spend with God, I believe the Lord is quite comfortable with me falling on my bed (after I have tucked that last child into bed) and saying, “Lord, it has been a tiring day, but I love you. I worship you. I adore you.” 

And that goes for you, too.

God simply wants to be with us and for us to want to be with Him. So often, we put God in a box, and based on our knowledge, we try to assess what makes Him happy. But what He truly desires is a heart that seeks after Him while realizing we can't do everything in our own strength. 

Practical Ways to Seek Intimacy With God in a Busy Season

So how do we spend time with God in our busy seasons? Here are four simple ways to be intentional. 

Listen to the Word of God

When my children were younger, I didn’t have time to get up in the morning (unless I got up at 2 AM!) It felt like there was no margin to do anything outside my responsibilities, and I was just exhausted. 

So I began to play cassette tapes of someone reading the scriptures while I did housework. I know we are well past the cassette tape era, but there are many apps that allow you to listen to the Bible! 

Pocket Prayers

Raising young children brings challenges, especially when a mom is looking for a quiet space in their day.

I remember using my children’s nap time as my prayer time. Some days I would pray for 5 minutes; others, 20 minutes. But ultimately, in this season, I learned to connect with God where I could find margin, and in the process, He reinforced that I was His beloved.

The incredible thing about prayer is that it can be done anytime and anywhere. So find your quiet pocket and start there!

Assess the Day

Another simple way I connected to the Father in a busy season was through nighttime reflections of my day. 

I would ask: “What did I do that pleased you, Lord?”, “What did I do not so well?”, “God, help me to know the errors of my ways. Would you speak to me?”

This end-of-the-day reflection is a great opportunity to hear from God and allow Him to mold and change your heart to that of Christ. 

Surround Yourself With Spiritual Women

During the early, exhausting season of motherhood, I made sure I had spiritual women in my life to hold my arms up when I couldn’t. Having my community of women helped me intentionally pray, build relationships, and see God's goodness outside of the four walls of my home.

Not to mention, this group of women tangibly showed the love of Christ as we gave one another alone time while we watched one another’s children. This selfless act of love truly blessed my spirit.

We don’t need an elaborate setting or schedule to connect with God. He can be found anywhere and anytime.

How will you seek intimacy with God in the season you are in?