Fruit
It is easy to get caught up in the idea that we glorify God by being closer than anyone else has ever been, and it's really easy to feel that way because when we experience God in new ways, it feels like it's ours and only ours and it's so fully validating and filling that we think "This is the object of the Christian walk, to be deeper and deeper with God, and the sign of deeper and deeper is these spiritual encounters." um. no. all of that feels good, and is great in moderation, but if we think feeling tingly or having visions or dreams from God, or even hearing God's voice, is the goal, then we have not read our Bible well enough. John 15:8 says "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit." That feels pretty clear to me. Just a few verses ealier, in the whole "He is Divine, we are de branches." (haha, just a little plant humor for ya) section, he is so clear that when we grow, He rewards that with pruning for more growt...