My two cents ;-)
Closeness to God is not a matter of proximity, but of sameness. Intimacy with God is achieved via emulation; to move closer to Him means to act more like Him. We can spend lots of time with God…but what are we doing? Is the time spent in productive activity?
One of the key elements of God’s nature is revealed in His actions; since He is absolutely complete and needs/wants for nothing He does everything for the benefit of others, with no thought of self-gain. If we’re looking for a formula, I think that is the most potent one of all; everything you do, do for others with no thought of self. Of course if we neglect our own genuine needs we will be incapable of benefiting anyone at all, so a balancing act of priorities ensues…but it all comes down to intent. This requires a constant state of self examination with regard to our motives.
Unfortunately our natural instincts tell us that focusing on others means starving ourselves, but this is where God’s challenge to trust Him comes into focus. “For it is in giving that we receive” (to quote Francis of Assisi). The key is to receive for the sake of giving rather than having. Some individuals have suggested that we can give in order to receive, Jesus taught to receive in order to give. What receives the greater volume; a container that overflows, or a conduit that focuses a continuous outpouring?
Just a thought.
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Good questions, when answered, innevitably lead to better ones. The light is in the search, and the search itself is the destination.
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