When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. -1 Corinthians 13:11
I remember during my twenties I was very strong in prayer and talking to God, and getting feedback from the Lord.
Although he stays the same within his character situations do incline to change depending on our behavior, growth, trial, outlook, and so on. Many factors can play a role in our relationship with God.
I’ve noticed through various stages of my life from childhood to adulthood the different ways I’d feel the Lord’s presence and recognized his footprints making an impact.
He was always there but incorporated his provision in a wide range of demonstration according to how I progressed, and spiritually matured.
For example, when a baby is weaned off the bottle and can begin to eat solid food, they soon learn to balance drink with a cup and thoroughly chew with their teeth. The baby is starting to develop into a state where the parent doesn’t have to feed them as an infant need to be fed anymore.
Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness. -1 Peter 2:2-3
The child is becoming capable of feeding themself with the nurturing beforehand of the parent and the maturing of the body.
Eventually the child will walk on its own, talk, use the toilet on its own and then start school. So, the child will still need their parent’s guidance and supervision, however, the parent no longer has to carry the child in the way they did before.
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. -Colossians 2:7
Once we get to the levels where we need to be there are higher steps in experiencing the way God can and does work in our lives. He deals with us at our own pace he meets us where we’re at he knows if we are ready or not to move forward in certain areas and how we’ll be responsive.
Our experiences teach us, strengthen us, and enable us to deepen our relationship with the Lord if we allow our hearts to be
directed through him. Even when we don’t willingly desire to go through the bad times (and who does) he brings us out of our circumstances as better people. We then notice and hear his voice in an array of discerning ways.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. -James 1:2-4
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. –Philippians 1:6