One way to increase intimacy with God is to be intentional about the quality of your conversation with Him.
I will acknowledge that learning when/if God is speaking to you is a whole journey on its own, but there are times when you KNOW God has responded to you. You want to make sure that you say more than just "thank you, God."
Take the thanks deeper. Tell Him why you're so thankful and express just how thankful you are from the bottom of your heart. These heart expressions are a form of praise and worship. When you speak to God from the bottom of your heart about all things, you make space for God to fill your heart with more things.
Almost everyday for the past week, this exact scripture has been brought to my face:
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 NASB
It wasn't until like the 8th time that I fully acknowledged it as more than confirmation and encouragement, but as a verbal response directly from the mouth of God. He was speaking to me and I needed to reply with a full response. Not only was this necessary out of respect and to keep the conversation going, but it also allowed me to align all of my thoughts with this truth He was presenting me with. And it gave me strength when I didn't even fully realize that I needed it. The moment it all clicked, I paused and responded to God:
“Things may not look the way I expected them to, but I want what you want God. Therefore, everything is exactly the way it needs to be. I surrender to your sovereignty. I trust in your perfect plans. I trust in your infinite knowledge. I trust that your thoughts are higher than my thoughts and your ways are not my ways. I open my heart to receive whatever you wish to teach me in this time. I release my mind so that you may mold it into an image that is pleasing to you with your own hands. To you, the Eternal God, the Alpha and Omega, and Ancient of Days, be the power, the glory, the honor, and dominion, forever, Amen.”
Beyond the thankfulness for Him encouraging my heart in this journey, I needed to express to God that I fully trust, honor, and respect Him. And I wanted Him to know that He can trust me with His plans for my future. That He is my God and I am His child. That I am listening and our communication matters to me. God knows our hearts better than we do. When we speak to Him from that vulnerable place, He'll reveal to us what's in our own hearts.
Meditation:
“I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.” Proverbs 8:17
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
“but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:16-18
Reflection:
When God is speaking, do I give Him my full attention and honor Him with a thoughtful response?
When I speak to God from the bottom of my heart, am I ok with confronting what He may reveal to me about myself?