If we really understood what Christianity was all about - what the Cross is all about - I don't think sin would look so appetizing, nor would false gods or false lovers be such a struggle. When the offering of intimacy with God is on the table, who would ever turn their back on it? Yet we turn our backs on it all the time. Many of us think Christ came just so we could be forgiven and have eternal life; we don't imagine those are actually by-products of something much greater, intimacy with the Creator. But even those who do understand - or at least catch glimpses of understanding - that Christ and the Cross came so we could be intimate, even those who can put a finger on this truth find it hard to cultivate intimacy, even if they want it so bad. Why? We really don't have a clue on what intimacy with God really is; since it has to do with religion, we pump it full of religious lace, thereby profaning its real meaning. The plain and simple truth is that intimacy with God is hard to come by; so much stands in our way. Intimacy doesn't happen overnight, it takes a long, long time, culminating to completion the moment we enter Heaven, submerged completely in God's wonderful presence. But even though intimacy with God is so apparently difficult, we cannot sleight it; in my mind, it must be at the center-piece of ever lesson, every Bible Study, every sermon, because it is the core of Christ's message and the Cross. When we discuss anything God-oriented but don't mention intimacy, we are fools and doing a disservice to everyone listening.