Here's a very insightful verse and commentary to contemplate and discuss...
Once one has overcome the obstacles on the path that arise from frailties like fear, one can then achieve pure love in which one thinks of the Lord like a close friend in the ordinary world. For this one must have a strong desire to serve the Lord in the manner of His gopas and gopis. Brihad-bhagavatamrita, 2.5.217
Sanatana Gosvami's commentary:
When a serious devotee first sets his aim on following in the footsteps of the Goloka-vasis, the goal may seem far away. He may begin his endeavor still encumbered by many material desires. But the more he carefully studies the transcendental reality, the more he renounces his unsuitable desires. He then rises above the misgivings born of fear, reverence, distrust, and shame.
The real beginning of spiritual life, therefore, is to become free from material desires. Until the obstacles are overcome, the devotee sees the object of his devotion only as the supreme powerful and so remains too fearful and respectful to have any real love for Him.
But later, when the devotee swims in the vast ocean of bhakti, the superficial waves of contrary impulses recede, and he is granted the super-intelligence for friendship with the Supreme. The devotee then approaches the Lord with such apparently worldly moods as that of a consort or a son and serves His lotus feet accordingly. He renders pure devotional service, as defined in the Padma Purana:
“When one develops an unflinching sense of ownership or possessiveness in relation to Lord Visnu, or, in other words, when one thinks Visnu and no one else to be the only object of love, such an awakening is called bhakti by exalted persons like Bhisma, Prahlahda, Uddhava, and Narada.”
Compiled by Uttamasloka Dasa