Jimbo's Jots

As I work with couples and sometimes individuals, I use a tool called Prepare-Enrich. A component of this assessment is the Closeness Scale. The Prepare-Enrich Closeness Scale is a diagnostic tool designed to evaluate the level of emotional intimacy and connectedness between partners. It measures how individuals in a relationship feel about trusting, sharing, and being vulnerable with one another. Closeness requires active participation, mutual respect, and intentionality.

Key elements of the scale include:

• Emotional Openness: The willingness to share emotions and feelings freely.
• Support: Offering and receiving comfort, encouragement, and reassurance.
• Vulnerability: The courage to expose one’s inner thoughts, fears, and desires.
• Mutual Investment: Demonstrating effort and commitment to grow the bond.

These elements are not only essential for building a close relationship between two people, but they also serve as a metaphorical framework for nurturing our spiritual relationship with God.

Taking the four elements of this scale, let’s talk about what each looks like as we develop a close relationship with God:

• Emotional openness: in any relationship, the key to growth is open communication. Whether things are good in the relationship or there is tension, having a safe and open space of communication is extremely beneficial. Honest and heartfelt communication with the divine invites closeness. Just as you might confess your fears, hopes, and dreams to a trusted partner, expressing these feelings to God creates a profound spiritual connection. The Bible echoes this sentiment in scriptures like Psalm 62:8: “Pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” Developing emotional openness with God requires moving beyond rote prayers and embracing a candid dialogue, sharing every aspect of your life without reservation.
• Support: In human relationships, support involves being there for one another in both good times and bad. With God, this concept takes on a comforting, all-encompassing form. Turning to God for support means trusting in His sovereignty and strength. Matthew 11:28-30 reminds us: “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Recognizing God as a source of support allows us to lean into a divine embrace, knowing we are never alone in our struggles.
• Vulnerability: Being vulnerable can be one of the hardest aspects of any relationship. It involves exposing oneself and risking rejection. However, vulnerability is essential for building trust. In our relationship with God, vulnerability manifests as surrender—acknowledging our limitations and placing complete trust in His will. Proverbs 3:5-6 captures this beautifully: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Surrendering control is not a sign of weakness but a pathway to a deeper, more intimate bond with God.
• Mutual Investment: By this we mean dedicating time, effort, and energy toward nurturing the connection. When applied to a relationship with God, mutual investment involves spiritual disciplines such as prayer, worship, Bible study, and service. James 4:8 encourages us: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” This mutual pursuit ensures that the relationship grows stronger over time. Just as couples thrive when they invest in their bond, so too does our relationship with God flourish when we commit to seeking Him daily.

The Prepare-Enrich Closeness Scale offers profound insights into what makes relationships thrive, and these principles apply just as powerfully to our spiritual lives. Developing a close relationship with God is not a one-time event but an ongoing journey. It requires intentionality, vulnerability, and a commitment to growth.

As you seek to deepen your connection with God, remember that His love for you is unwavering. He is always near, patiently waiting for you to draw closer. By embracing the lessons of the Closeness Scale and applying them to your spiritual life, you can experience a transformative relationship with the Creator that brings peace, purpose, and joy.

Be blessed! Be a blessing!