(ThyBlackMan.com) Are you thirsting for a more intimate relationship with your Heavenly Father? Can you sense in your heart that God is calling you to a deeper level of Christian spiritual growth than you have ever experienced before?
God’s desire is for the two of you to share a deeper intimacy than you may have ever dreamed possible. But, like any relationship, developing this kind 
of oneness with God is not something that happens over night – It takes time and work.
And it’s that four letter word – WORK – that keeps so many of us bound by the chains of religion instead of being free to experience the deeper relationship with God that He has waiting for us.
But, if the true desire of your heart is to take your Christian spiritual growth to the next level, you can start on that journey today right from where you are.
How do you begin? One Footstep at a time…
Footstep #1 – Develop An Understanding Of Who God Really Is. The foundation for any relationship is truly knowing the other person. If you do not know them – their heart and their true character – then how can you ever really trust them? If you don’t truly trust them, then what kind of relationship do you really have after all?
In order to connect with God, you have to understand the depths of who He is and who He wants to be in your life. You have to begin building a true friendship with your Heavenly Father.
Footstep #2 – Get Real With God…And With Yourself. As Christians, it is easy to get in the habit of walking around in what I like to call our “Perfect Christian Mask.” We pretend that nothing gets to us. Nothing shakes our faith or breaks our heart. On the outside, we look tough as nails – But on the inside, we are not as strong as we would like others to think.
The danger of the “Perfect Christian Mask” is that you are not perfect. There are times when your faith IS shaky and your heart IS broken. But, having those moments does not make you a bad Christian any more than trying to ignore them makes you a good one.
A true sign of Christian Spiritual Growth is when you can go to God and say – I need help. I fear. I hurt. And, You are the only one I can tell because You are the only one who can help me.
That kind of nakedness before God is what will move you from religion to relationship and truly transform your life.
Do you really want to experience dynamic Christian spiritual growth?
Step out on faith. Begin your journey by taking these two footsteps. They may seem small, but you will be amazed at what God can do inside your heart when you truly know Him, and let down your guard enough to let Him truly know you too.
Written By Ameerah Lewis