Relationship with Him

Many people grew up with fear of God.  We feared doing the wrong thing, thinking we would be punished somehow, or go to hell.  Some of us are intimidated by Him, like the Israelites, who would send Moses to talk to God for them.  They were scared of dying or ashamed of their sin.  Some are intimidated by His holiness.  We've also been threaten to be in relationship with God.  We've been threatened with hell, if we didn't relate to God.  In turn this has caused many to look for God out of fear of hell.  Because of this threat some of us pretend to be in a relationship with God, thinking thats going to gain them a key to eternity.   We play church.   We go to mass every Sunday, ask the Lord for protection, wear a rosary and ask ask ask. Somehow we've convinced ourselves that this is pleasing to God.   These things are cool, but God wants a deeper relationship with each and every one of us.  Not a pretend relationship.  Not a one way relationship.  Not a materialistic relationship.  A real relationship.  God sent His only begotten son, Jesus, to us in human form so that we can relate with Him.  Relate to him as you would with friends, family, spouses, or a parent.  He wants to commune with us.  He wants to hear from you…..about your achievements, your weaknesses, your wants, your needs, your pain, your dreams, etc…  He also wants you to listen to Him.  Allow Him to talk to you.   


God had a very special plan when He sent Jesus down to us.  For years many we had been separated from God, and didn't have the kind of relationship He meant for us to have.  Fear, intimidation, and sin, had built this wall which separated us from His presence, therefore we lost intimacy with God.  When the disciples met Jesus, they had no idea of who He really was. This allowed for them to be themselves. They revealed themselves as they were.  They laughed, they joked, asked silly questions, spoke freely about their feelings, and just relaxed in His presence.  That is what God wanted.  And that is what He has always wanted.  Intimacy with you, like He once had with Adam and Eve.  He wants us to feel secure in a relationship with Him, built on love and trust.  God is the one and only person we can completely trust in, and know that He will never fail us.  So why be scared?

And Yes God is the Almighty, holy and the All Powerful, but we can be intimate with Him without taking away from Him.  Just like we can be friends with our earthly fathers without them losing their fatherhood.    The fact that we can build an intimate relationship with the living God, just makes it the more incredible. As a father He can be your friend, your protector, and your guide.  Scripture describes us as friends dear enough to die for, little chicks rushing under the protective wings of a hen, and young children beloved by a gracious Father.  That is God.  He loves you.  So stop being afraid, and embrace that thought.  Love Him for who He is, and not for what He can give you.  We are not doing anyone a favor by playing church, or pretending to relate to God.  In fact, you are only losing out on the best experience of your life.


I pray that we can be honest with ourselves, and honor Gods call to all of us.  To build an intimate relationship with Him.  In Jesus name, I pray.  Amen.