If you’ve ever been in the company of intriguing or charismatic people, you might have felt different than you normally do. There can be some intangible quality about them that we can’t quite define, but if we’re around them long enough, it can seem to rub off on us. Being in God’s powerful presence is like that, only a thousand times better.

Everyday life brings us into contact with all kinds of people; some of them are a good influence on us while others negatively impact the way we think and behave. This is especially important to remember when we’re dating. The peer pressure we face is real, even in adulthood. Associating with the wrong kinds of people with ungodly values can cause us to make wrong decisions or do something against our better judgment. “Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?” (2 Corinthians 6:14, 15, NLT).

This is a struggle that can get pretty discouraging when we’re trying to do the right thing. Our external environment gives us mixed messages until we can be unsure of what example to follow or who to listen to. Thankfully, God’s presence clears up all confusion. “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever” (Psalm 16:11, NLT).

God wants the best for us in all our relationships. Asking Him to come into our lives allows Him to make Himself known to us. We can trust what He’s doing even when we don’t understand all the details yet. He tells us not to try to figure things out with our own limited knowledge because He’ll work everything out in our favor. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5, 6).

God’s presence brings about an electrifying experience that defies explanation. Spending time with Him transforms us. When Moses stood on the mountaintop in God’s presence, the experience changed him so much that it was obvious. When the people looked at him afterward, they saw that he was a different person (Exodus 34:29).  

Moses had a close, personal relationship with God. “So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend…” (Exodus 33:11, NKJV). This is the most important relationship we could ever have, and it should come before all others. It anchors us, profoundly affects who we choose to spend time with, and redirects our lives.

Some people try to run away when they feel God’s presence. This was what Jonah unsuccessfully tried to do when God told him to preach to the people at Nineveh. We can never escape God’s love. “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me” (Psalm 139:7-10).

God is the greatest influencer of all time. Spend time with Him and listen to Him. You’ll never be the same.