--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We never grow closer to God when we just…" description: "\"We never grow closer to God when we just live life. It takes deliberate pursuit and attentiveness.\" — Francis Chan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/363/francis-chan-548_attentiveness_we-never-grow-closer-to-god-when-we-just_2545162.png" --- # We never grow closer to God when we just live life. It… ![“We never grow closer to God when we just live life. It takes deliberate pursuit and attentiveness.” quote by Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/363/francis-chan-548_attentiveness_we-never-grow-closer-to-god-when-we-just_2545162.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/363/francis-chan-548_attentiveness_we-never-grow-closer-to-god-when-we-just_2545162.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/363/francis-chan-548_attentiveness_we-never-grow-closer-to-god-when-we-just_2545162.png) > “We never grow closer to God when we just live life. It takes deliberate pursuit and attentiveness.” [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Spiritual growth requires intentional effort and mindful awareness, not passive existence. **In simple terms:** Seek God actively, not passively. Key Takeaway Cultivate deliberate spiritual practices. Themes faith mindfulness growth Mood hopeful serene Type advice spiritual When to use this quote - daily prayer - community service - scripture study - meditation Key Concepts theology personal development Questions to Reflect On - How can you integrate deliberate practice into daily life? - What distractions hinder your spiritual focus? A Different Perspective Busy schedules can make intentional pursuit difficult. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attentiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attentiveness/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Christian living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-living/) [Godly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/godly/) [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Live life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/live-life/) [Pursuit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursuit/) [Thought provoking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-provoking/) ## Related quotes > [Marriage is a team effort. Grow closer to each other as you grow closer to God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-george/marriage-is-a-team-effort-grow-closer-to-each-other-as-you-grow/) [Jim George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-george/) > [Ever since I was a child I've Felt that I should grow closer to God, but life always took me farther away from Him](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cherry-diaz/ever-since-i-was-a-child-i-ve-felt-that-i-should-grow-closer-to-god/) [Cherry Diaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cherry-diaz/) > [Hardships drive some people apart. Others, like us, grow even closer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/hardships-drive-some-people-apart-others-like-us-grow-even-closer/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [You don't have to leave the world to be holy and grow closer to the Holy One.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johannes-tauler/you-don-t-have-to-leave-the-world-to-be-holy-and-grow-closer-to-the/) [Johannes Tauler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johannes-tauler/) > [Sometimes you have to grow apart, just to grow closer together](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-orante/sometimes-you-have-to-grow-apart-just-to-grow-closer-together/) [Cristina Orante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-orante/) > [A lot of time when you clash, sometimes it helps the relationship because then you grow closer after that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-j/a-lot-of-time-when-you-clash-sometimes-it-helps-the-relationship/) [Ray J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-j/) > [“No matter your faith, or lack of it, the ultimate goal of this book is to help you grow closer to God, to rely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-l-b-morey/no-matter-your-faith-or-lack-of-it-the-ultimate-goal-of-this-book-is/) Kyle L.B. Morey > [“I had learned in the last two years that the more demanding the basic needs of self-preservation grow, the closer one comes to nature.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-sandulescu/i-had-learned-in-the-last-two-years-that-the-more-demanding-the-basic/) Jacques Sandulescu > [“That's because like everyone else on the planet, you believed that time would teach you to grow closer to God. But time doesn't teach;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/that-s-because-like-everyone-else-on-the-planet-you-believed-that/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [“Like everyone else on the planet, you believed that time would teach you to grow closer to God. But time doesn't teach; it merely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/like-everyone-else-on-the-planet-you-believed-that-time-would-teach/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [My only prayer for my time with you is, "God I just want these men and women to long for you."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/my-only-prayer-for-my-time-with-you-is-god-i-just-want-these-men-and/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Are we in love with God or just His stuff?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/are-we-in-love-with-god-or-just-his-stuff/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Do you love this God who is everything, or do you just love everything He gives you?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/do-you-love-this-god-who-is-everything-or-do-you-just-love-everything/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [God is not just one thing we add to the mix called life. He wants an invitation from us to permeate everything and every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/god-is-not-just-one-thing-we-add-to-the-mix-called-life-he-wants-an/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Is it so wrong to just live life and enjoy it? Between fun and function, why must we choose the latter?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-nersesian/is-it-so-wrong-to-just-live-life-and-enjoy-it-between-fun-and/) [Arthur Nersesian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-nersesian/) ## More by Francis Chan > [If you want to see the big stuff that God has, you've got to take some risk and trust only in the Gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/if-you-want-to-see-the-big-stuff-that-god-has-you-ve-got-to-take-some/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [God is compassionate and just, loving and holy, wrathful and forgiving. WE can't sideline His more difficult attributes to make room for the palatable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/god-is-compassionate-and-just-loving-and-holy-wrathful-and-forgiving/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [“In the midst of our failed attempts at loving Jesus, His grace covers us. Each of us has lukewarm elements and practices in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/in-the-midst-of-our-failed-attempts-at-loving-jesus-his-grace-covers/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Jesus' call to commitment is clear: He wants all or nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/jesus-call-to-commitment-is-clear-he-wants-all-or-nothing/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Yes, it is God who works in you. And, yes, there is work for you to do. Yes, the Spirit empowers you to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/yes-it-is-god-who-works-in-you-and-yes-there-is-work-for-you-to-do/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [The point of your life is to point to Him. Whatever you are doing, God wants to be glorified, because this whole thing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/the-point-of-your-life-is-to-point-to-him-whatever-you-are-doing-god/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Lukewarm people love others but do not seek to love others as much as they love themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/lukewarm-people-love-others-but-do-not-seek-to-love-others-as-much-as/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [“Life is comfortable when you separate yourself from people who are different from you. That epitomizes what my life was like: characterized by comfort.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/life-is-comfortable-when-you-separate-yourself-from-people-who-are/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Christ can come back at any time so the one thing you want to have in your life is a focused prayer time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/christ-can-come-back-at-any-time-so-the-one-thing-you-want-to-have-in/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [“Awe Factor” video at www.crazylovebook.com to get a taste of the awe factor of our God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/awe-factor-video-at-www-crazylovebook-com-to-get-a-taste-of-the-awe/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [“What I want you to do right now is to go online and look at the “Awe Factor” video at www.crazylovebook.com to get a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/what-i-want-you-to-do-right-now-is-to-go-online-and-look-at-the-awe/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Multi-tasking is keeping me from whole-hearted worship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/multi-tasking-is-keeping-me-from-whole-hearted-worship/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [The stress that some of us feel - it's a lack of faith, it really is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/the-stress-that-some-of-us-feel-it-s-a-lack-of-faith-it-really-is/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [We have become dangerously comfortable- believers ooze with wealth and let their addictions to comfort and security numb the radical urgency of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/we-have-become-dangerously-comfortable-believers-ooze-with-wealth-and/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Not being able to understand God is frustrating, but it is ridiculous for us to think we have the right to limit God to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/not-being-able-to-understand-god-is-frustrating-but-it-is-ridiculous/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) [Explore all 479 Francis Chan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) ## More Attentiveness quotes > [Most songs come from being attentive. Attentive to life, attentive to scripture, attentive to your heart. Pay attention!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-redman/most-songs-come-from-being-attentive-attentive-to-life-attentive-to/) [Matt Redman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-redman/) > [Study the public behavior of top stars and you can detect a keen attentiveness to brand value.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-bart/study-the-public-behavior-of-top-stars-and-you-can-detect-a-keen/) [Peter Bart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-bart/) > [“A key point to bear in mind: The value of attentiveness varies in proportion to its object. You’re better off not giving the small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/a-key-point-to-bear-in-mind-the-value-of-attentiveness-varies-in/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [At home we have lost the capacity to see what is before us. Travel shakes us out of our apathy, and we regain an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-w-gardner/at-home-we-have-lost-the-capacity-to-see-what-is-before-us-travel/) [John W. Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-w-gardner/) > [Ten times a day something happens to me like this - some strengthening throb of amazement - some good sweet empathic ping and swell.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/ten-times-a-day-something-happens-to-me-like-this-some-strengthening/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [“Being in the present moment is no easy task, especially when we are interrupted by someone who needs our attention at a crucial time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-canham/being-in-the-present-moment-is-no-easy-task-especially-when-we-are/) Elizabeth Canham > [That nameless and infinitely delicate aroma of inexpressible tenderness and attentiveness which, in every refined and honorable attachment, is contemporary with the courtship, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/that-nameless-and-infinitely-delicate-aroma-of-inexpressible/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“Learning how to think' really means learning how to exercise some control over how & what you think. It means being conscious & aware…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/learning-how-to-think-really-means-learning-how-to-exercise-some-2/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [Celebration... is self restraint, is attentiveness, is questioning, is meditating, is awaiting, is the step over into the more wakeful glimpse of the wonder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-heidegger/celebration-is-self-restraint-is-attentiveness-is-questioning-is/) [Martin Heidegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-heidegger/) > [Time, presence and physical attentiveness are our most basic proxies for something ultimately unprovable: that we are understood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-chatfield/time-presence-and-physical-attentiveness-are-our-most-basic-proxies/) [Tom Chatfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-chatfield/) > [Victory brings obliviousness; defeat, attentiveness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/victory-brings-obliviousness-defeat-attentiveness/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [If you keep the Sabbath, you start to see creation not as somewhere to get away from your ordinary life, but a place to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/if-you-keep-the-sabbath-you-start-to-see-creation-not-as-somewhere-to/) [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) > [Being present, whether with children, with friends, or even with oneself, is hard work. But isn't this attentiveness - the feeling that someone is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-grosz/being-present-whether-with-children-with-friends-or-even-with-oneself/) [Stephen Grosz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-grosz/) > [“The only way to eradicate disquieted state of mind in this world is to give serious and heedful attentiveness to those in the darkest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anyaele-sam-chiyson/the-only-way-to-eradicate-disquieted-state-of-mind-in-this-world-is/) Anyaele Sam Chiyson > [I may be a sleeping politician. But one should know that a sleeping politician is always awake about national politics. I am not like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-d-deve-gowda/i-may-be-a-sleeping-politician-but-one-should-know-that-a-sleeping/) H. D. Deve Gowda [Browse all 46 Attentiveness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attentiveness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We never grow closer to God when we just live life. 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