Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3:20

Years ago, my friend Gale called with a passion to pray for me. He had attended a Promise Keepers event and felt compelled by the Lord to systematically petition heaven on my behalf. How refreshing! As a vocational minister of the gospel, I was normally the one offering prayers, but not this time. For a full year Gale called me every Friday. He asked for an update on my prior week’s prayer, what new needs I had and then he led us in prayer together. Wow, this man loved me in the most intimate, helpful way! I gained inner strength by his love that initiated intimacy.

Jesus vividly paints the picture of Himself standing at the door of any person’s life (‘if anyone’). The Lord is the gentle guest waiting outside, ready to come in and engage with the occupant. His generous company receives and gives hospitality. His holy presence offers prayers on behalf of all needy for His grace. His sacrificial life, death and resurrection introduce the gift of salvation to everyone who invites Him in and trusts Him wholeheartedly. Jesus initiates intimacy to those who need Him as Savior and to those who desire to grow in their relationship with Him as friend.

 “How fortunate those servants will be when the master knocks and they open the door immediately! You know what the master will do? He’ll put on an apron, sit them down at the kitchen table, and he’ll serve them a midnight snack” (Luke 12:37, The Voice).

Have you received the loving intimacy initiated by the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you received Him into your life as your personal Savior? If not, simply pray, “Jesus, I trust You for the forgiveness of my sins. I believe You died on the cross and rose from the grave. You are my God.” Perhaps Jesus lives in your life already, but you need a fresh infusion of His intimate love. Sit with Him in prayer and hear His tender voice affirm you, teach you, and heal your heart. Like opened shutters invite in warmth, so an open heart to Christ’s love enjoys warm intimacy.

Who needs you to initiate intimacy? A spouse, child, parent, sibling or friend? You can’t control their response, but you can continue to initiate unhurried time together. Make it easier to meet by planning ahead for both of you. Budget time and money. Intimacy is not easily achieved, but its fruit of trust, joy, knowing and being known is worth working through the cycles of pain and peace. Ultimately peace outlasts pain—when love learns to forgive and forget. Be vulnerable about your struggles and sins for intimacy incubates around authenticity. Love initiates intimacy!

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them” (1 John 4:16).

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I invite You into my life to learn more about Your love and grace.

Application: Who needs my persistent love, so we can really grow to know each other deeply?

Related Readings: Proverbs 8:17; Zephaniah 3:17; Romans 8:10; James 5:9; 1 John 4:8-9

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