God Obsessed

Way back in the 1990s, I was serving in the United States Navy. Not long after a Bible study, I invited Jesus Christ into my life. I fell immediately in love with Him. Yet what amazed me most was how a God so big could be so individual with each of us—even me, I thought to myself.

I often teach this truth now.

I was raised in a small country town in southern Mississippi. We went to church, but I always viewed God as being far away—somewhere distant in the heavens. Not personal. Not living with me or within me, desiring fellowship, as I know now.

Early on, I received this revelation. As mentioned, I gave my life to Christ on the Red Sea, aboard the USS Jack Williams (I chose this ship because the name sounded like Jack Daniels). After Bible study, I wanted more. So I would sneak outside by myself to the weather deck of our ship. I’d close the hatch, lean against the bulkhead of our haze-gray warship, look over the water and into the sky, and sing, worship, and just talk to the Lord as a friend.

I didn’t know anything else—no religious gimmicks, no formulas—just a heartfelt desire to know more of this God I had invited into my life. A God whose Son, Jesus, I had always believed in, but never invited in. Now I had—and He was there.

As I talked with Him, oh how close He was. Tears would often fall from my face, and I’d think, Why am I crying? I was longing for Him so deeply. How close can I get?

Now, knowing Scripture better, I understand why Moses said, “Lord, I want to see Your face.”

So much love.

I miss those times at sea. I still have moments like that now, but back then—ohhh—it was so new, so raw, so memorable. And it brings me to this truth I’ve learned through the years and now teach everywhere:

God is obsessed with getting us alone.

I remember one night in particular. I slipped out onto the weather deck as usual. It was supposed to be a full moon, and I knew it would be beautiful—my private “date” with God after Bible study with other sailors who, like me, were experiencing a divine revival encounter with the Holy Spirit.

That night, I opened the hatch and was immediately disappointed. We were in a rainstorm. The sky was black. The wind was howling. It was dangerous to be outside. I knew if I fell over the wire railing, that was it—unless I suddenly learned how to walk on water.

Wisdom prevailed. Reluctantly, I called it a night and went to bed. I continued fellowshipping with the Lord quietly under my breath as I fell asleep, surrounded by other sailors—about fifteen of us in that compartment.

That night, I learned a truth: He really does desire to get us alone—and He is obsessed with it, for our benefit.

This was about the fourth time during that season of my life that God did something supernatural—something that left no doubt He existed, that He loved me, even me, just as He loves us all, with incredible patience.

A couple of hours later, I shot wide awake.

No coffee. No alarm. No energy drink—if those even existed back then. I was just instantly awake. I heard His still, small voice within me—a gentle nudge, yet firm. Shocking to some, but yes, God speaks.

It wasn’t my mind reasoning. It was an inward knowing, an impression that needed no interpretation:

“Get up. Put on your boots. Go outside and be alone with Me.”

I had the energy. I had the desire. I quickly dressed, climbed three levels of ladders, reached midship, and opened the hatch.

The first thing I felt was His power—His presence—like liquid oil pouring into my heart like a river. It immediately opened the floodgates of tears. I knelt down and gazed over the water.

The rain He had driven away was gone.

The sky that had been so dark was now lit with the biggest moon I have ever seen. To this day, I have never seen anything so beautiful.

And I thought: The God so big, so great, woke me up, felt my earlier disappointment, and designed this moment—for me. He changed the weather patterns and woke me just to be alone with Him.

As I’ve grown older in the Lord and looked back on that night—and many encounters like it—I’ve learned this:

It’s not so much that we desire Him as it is that He desires us.

He sent Himself, wrapped in a body—the only way it could be done—to redeem us, because He is obsessed with us. Like me, you are too.

He is obsessed with getting us alone.

Today, if you haven’t been alone with Him, take it from an old sailor who has witnessed and experienced Him firsthand: He is waiting for you.

There is no one like the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, who desires to call your body His home.

Invite Him in.
Be alone with Him.

It’s His obsession.
And it will become yours too.

— Pastor Steve