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In Mark 1:9–11 we are given a beautiful snapshot. It’s the story of Jesus’ baptism. It provides a unique window into the precious intimacy that Jesus shared with his heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus was being baptized by John the Baptist, and as he came up out of the water, “he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove” (Mark 1:10). Then, Jesus heard these words from his father in heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11).

It’s critical to note that these public words were shared before Jesus began his ministry or accomplished anything. These words were publicly shared to reinforce Jesus’ primary identity, position and value as God’s deeply loved son.

These very clear, personal and encouraging words also highlight the intimate relationship between Jesus and his Father. As Arrow Leadership’s founder Leighton Ford writes, “Like the patriarchs and prophets in the days of old, he (Jesus) was hearing a call. Yet Jesus’ call was completely different because it was the affirmation of a special intimacy and identity with God. He and his Father were one—one in nature, in love and in purpose.”1

The same can be said of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. They, too, were one—in nature, in love and in purpose. The description of the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus is a vivid reminder that Jesus’ life was lived in a dynamic, intimate and dependent relationship with the Spirit.

Beyond this one snapshot, the Gospels demonstrate that Jesus sought out, pursued and enjoyed a dynamic and intimate spiritual relationship with the Father throughout his earthly life. A few verses later, in Mark 1:35, we read that “while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” I don’t believe that this time with the Father was simply a prerequisite for leading or having a greater impact; it was first about intimacy and relationship.

You are I are also created for an intimate spiritual relationship with God. This is the foundation and wellspring of the Christian life. Os Guinness writes, “Our primary calling as followers of Christ is by him, to him and for him. First and foremost we are called to Someone (God), not to something (such as motherhood, politics or teaching) or to somewhere (such as the inner city or Outer Mongolia).”2 Too often I’ve been reminded by this quote that I’m putting the “something” or “somewhere” ahead of my primary calling.

Since intimacy with God is central to our life and to following Christ, the first dashboard gauge is the spiritual intimacy gauge. This is the vertical or “being” dimension of our life. It’s about receiving love from God and abiding in, loving, becoming one with and having a friendship with Christ.

At its very core, the spiritual intimacy gauge starts with receiving God’s love. It’s about grasping “how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:18–19). Receiving God’s love transforms us from the inside out. It determines our great value and shapes our identity.

The spiritual intimacy gauge is also about nurturing this critical relationship. The spiritual disciplines are one key way to cultivate intimacy with God. Our response back to God is one of worship and love—heart, mind and soul.

As the wellspring for the Christian life, our intimacy with God shouldn’t turn us inward. Instead, it should overflow to the rest of our life. If we understand and receive God’s lavish love for us, then it impacts our character. As Scripture says, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). In other words, our love for God will lead to godly choices and actions. Similarly, if we internalize God’s love, it will impact our relationships. As Jesus said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12). Finally, if we understand even a tiny fraction of the magnitude of God’s love for us and the entire world, then his love will overflow through us in service to a world in need.

The spiritual intimacy gauge helps you assess how you are doing in cultivating this critical and central area of your life and leadership. To begin to get a reading of this gauge, you can ask yourself some questions. These questions will get you started:

•Is God’s love really real for you? Is God’s love easy or hard for you to receive and internalize?

•Where do you find your worth? In Christ, in others, or in your title or accomplishments?

•Which of these words and phrases would you use to describe your intimacy with God: dry, distant, neglected, fragile, real, growing, deep, intimate, overflowing?

•Are you intentional about growing with God through disciplined spiritual exercise and rhythms?

•Are you depending on and trusting God more than yourself or other things?