Developing a Relationship with Your True Valentine
Written by Vanessa P.

One small thing that I've found that helps me walk closer to the Lord is good solid Christian music. We are commanded to love God with all our "heart, soul and mind"; aren't emotions included in that? Emotions aren't the primary means of loving God, but I believe they should be a part of our love for Him. And I think we all understand how a great song can affect our emotions. Of course, I love music, so maybe not everyone is affected the same way I am. But hearing a beautiful piece of music that points my mind toward God can lift my soul and bring me to tears at the same time. I know some very godly men and women who will keep a good hymnbook with their Bible so they can read hymns along with their devotions. Songs with good scriptural texts, set to good music, can be a great tool to help us draw closer to the Lord.

Another thing that has been a blessing to me is to realize that my God is a real Person; I can have a relationship with Him very much like with any other person on this earth. That doesn't mean I treat God just like another person; He is much greater and more holy than any person of course! But sometimes I read His Word and think of Him almost like a subject in college: I must learn all the facts and get them lined up just right. And while it is helpful to know facts about God, we all need to remember that these facts are there to help us know a Person that created us and loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die in our place, because He wanted to forgive our sins and bring us to live in heaven with Him. That is an amazing thought.

John 17:3 says, "This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." And to help us understand that how to have a relationship with God, sometimes it's helpful for us to apply things from human relationships to our relationship with God. I like spending time with my boyfriend-- I should enjoy spending time with God. I remember the things Robert says to me, and sometimes I'll rehearse them in my mind repeatedly. I should do the same with God; memorizing and meditating constantly on His Word. I'll sacrifice doing many other things just so I can spend a few minutes with my boyfriend; shouldn't I be far more willing to sacrifice for my Creator and Saviour? Obviously, we have to be careful not to put God on the same plane as other people, but this kind of comparison can be helpful. God meant for many things on this earth to be a picture of spiritual truths, though. If you're not in a relationship, just think of what you'd like to do with a boyfriend, fiancé, or husband, and apply those things (if appropriate) to your relationship with God.