One of my favorite cookies is the cream-filled chocolate one. The white goodness sandwiched in the in-between amazes me. I like to separate the two cookies and eat the cream in the middle. It’s good, but not so good for me. 

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

~Deuteronomy 6:5 NASB

HABITS

A lot of things can get stuck in the in-between of us and God. Things that keep us separated. They may look or feel good but are not good. For some, separators include alcohol, drugs, or pornography. The pursuit of these things hinders our relationship with God. Others don’t have these barriers, but other walls exist. Excessive time spent on hobbies like golf, fishing, and sports leave little or no time for God. Extreme scrolling on the cell phone, binge-watching television, and shopping can also consume us. God can receive our leftover attention. 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Things we want to experience or achieve can create distance between us and our heavenly Father. The desire to accomplish great things is not necessarily bad. The problem comes when achieving replaces adoring God. The relationship falters when we have no time or energy to cherish Him. We focus on improving our lifestyle instead of talking with God. We choose to make money over reading the Bible. And what about choosing our children’s activities or sports rather than attending church? Our hearts can be in the wrong place. 

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

~1 John 2:16 NASB 

EMOTIONS

Laziness or apathy can also hinder our closeness to God. How many times have we listened to a sermon or podcast and relied solely on the word of the speaker? Shouldn’t we search the Bible ourselves to validate the truthfulness of what we hear? If we’re not spending time reading His letter to us, how can we ever get to know Him or to experience His presence?

We can’t rely on others to deepen our relationship with the Father. The effort must come first from us, not others.  God led the Israelites to the Promised Land, but they had to go up and possess it. Fear also distances us from God. Fleshly fear can hold us captive and stuck. Do we fear tomorrow because of what can happen to us, or do we embrace tomorrow because of what He can do through us? Have we surrendered our wills to His? Reverent fear of  holy God is worship. And that brings us closer to Him. 

For you are about to cross the Jordan to go in to take possession of the land which the Lord your God is giving you, and you shall possess it and live in it.

~Deuteronomy 11:31 NASB

All three barriers—habits, accomplishments, and emotions—have one major root: self. Our world promotes and excuses self. God demands our selves. How can we know Him better if our thoughts center on us? The release of self to Him brings peace and comfort. We don’t have to be in charge and in control. He’s there, and we can rest in Him—two halves of a cookie held together not by things, but by Him.

Think about what is hindering your relationship with God. 

Father, may my first thought of the day be You. Help me to surrender myself to your plan and love. 

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2025: The In-Between: Sharon Davis: All Rights Reserved