From Admiration to Intimacy: The Climb of Love

There’s a difference between admiring God and truly loving Him. Admiration is a beautiful starting point — don’t get me wrong. Sometimes it's the awe of who He is, the way He moves, the beauty of His grace that draws us in first. But admiration on its own doesn’t build intimacy.

Often, the more surface-level things in Christianity are what draw people in at first—kind of like the “beautiful side” or the “selling points.” And that’s not wrong; even Jesus showed the disciples wonderful things. But they also saw His scars, they saw the reality and the cost of following Him. And they still loved Him deeply beyond just admiration because when you love someone, it changes how you act, how you respond, how you show up. Love brings awareness, accountability, and action. That’s how I see our walk with God.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37

I always say admiration can be taken for granted. You can admire Jesus and still live however you want. You can say, “He’s so perfect,” and never let that perfection shift anything in you. That’s not love. That’s comfort.

Even the devil admires the authority of Jesus, he knows who Jesus is. It’s shows demons calling Him the Holy One of God. So clearly, recognition isn’t the same as relationship. Satan doesn’t mind if you admire God, as long as you don’t love Him. He'll let you sit in church and clap for Jesus, even post bible scripture, as long as you don’t follow Him.

Love, though? Love is different. Love climbs. Love is when you know the full character of someone — even the parts that stretch you — and you still say, “I choose You.” Jesus doesn’t want admiration from afar; He wants you changed.

I compare this to driving: Just because you have insurance doesn’t mean you drive recklessly. People who drive wild with or without insurance are ready to pay the price whether they know the price they will pay. People who understand what’s at stake and the value of insurance, drive carefully — not out of fear, but respect.

Same with grace. Just because Jesus paid the price doesn’t mean I live recklessly. When you really love God, you don’t want to hurt Him. You honour the sacrifice. You think twice not because you're scared of wrath, but because you're overwhelmed by love.

Romans 6:1–2 says it straight: “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!”

We stop halfway up the mountain sometimes. We admire the view, take pictures, and repost someone else's experience. “Wow, look at what God did for them,” “That sermon was deep,” “Their prayer life is goals.” But God is saying, Climb. Don’t just repost someone else’s view of Me. Come and see for yourself.

Because no one’s prayer is stronger than your own. No one’s faith can carry you like your own. Love pushes you higher.

Peter could’ve admired Jesus from the boat, but love made him step out on water. Mary could’ve admired Jesus from afar, but love made her sit at His feet. Love moves.

You can’t survive off your pastor’s fire or your friend’s spiritual maturity. Jesus asked,

 “But who do YOU say that I am?”  Matthew 16:15

He was checking for something personal. He didn’t ask who does your church say I am, He didn’t ask who does your friends or your parents say I am, He didn’t even ask who do I say I am, He ask who do YOU say I am. Because in this walk, borrowed oil runs out.

The faith of the friends who carried the paralysed man got him in the room — but after that, it was his encounter that healed him. Someone else’s faith can bring you closer, but your own faith will carry you forward.

If admiration is all you have, you’ll end up stuck. It becomes performative — you know when to raise your hands, you know how to say “Amen,” but your heart’s still far from Him

“They honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.” Matthew 15:8

And that’s where the enemy thrives — in admiration without surrender. He loves it when we look like Christians but don’t live like disciples. But love? Love is costly. Love makes you see God and still choose Him every day. Even when He’s quiet. Even when He’s pruning you. Even when the climb is steep.

If you’re still stuck at the base of the mountain, admiring the view, ask yourself:

• Have I mistaken admiration for love?

• Do I want to be close, or just inspired?

• Am I climbing, or just commenting from the sidelines?

  
  

Love climbs. Love acts. Love doesn’t repost someone else’s experience — it creates one of its own.

Don’t just admire God. Love Him. Climb.

Because the view from the top? That’s between you and Him.

We can all get excited about climbing because someone told us about the view at the top. Some start early, some sprint, but we all grow tired — and that’s where admiration fails. Admiration doesn’t prepare you; it only paints the picture. Love, however, is the Word of God that prepares you for the climb — for the trials, the pruning, and the pressure.

Understand this: You might not reach the top with everyone you started with — can two walk together unless they agree? And if you don’t prepare in love, you’ll fail in admiration.

Admiration creates a desire; love creates willingness. Notice how God never asks us to admire Him.

If you love Me, you will obey My commands John 14:15

Closing Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank You for Your sacrifice and for Your grace. Father, forgive me for choosing admiration over intimacy, for taking Your love for granted. Teach me how to identify You in me. Teach me how to love You with all my heart, soul, and mind, so I may be at Your feet like Mary — in complete surrender. You said we are called to walk as You have walked. Lord, help me understand Your walk, for You are the lamp beneath my feet. May I amplify Your Word through obedience and love. You are who You say You are, and in me, You will come to pass.

Surely, Your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, not in admiration, but in love. Because Your death became the insurance for the eternal life of my spirit.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.