What's the point?

One of the really wonderful things that happens when you have a relationship with God via the Holy Spirit, is that you find that He opens your eyes to reality that you didn't see before.  That has been happening to me more and more.

I have found that many things I thought I knew about Christianity and being a Christian, were things that I merely agreed with and accepted as true.   I didn't know them personally or experience them as reality. 

sometimes things are just not clear yet...

When I began to experience problems I couldn't solve I saw that there was something missing in my faith.  But just seeing that I needed a personal relationship with God and power to trust Him with what I couldn't handle, wasn't changing anything. 

That's when I began to wonder if I was really saved, or if God was closer to other people than to me because He liked them better, or because they did things "right" that I wasn't doing.  It was a difficult time.

But even though it looked like I was stuck, God was hearing my prayers and He showed me through others that I needed to know Him and receive His love.  It makes sense.  You don't suddenly have a deep relationship with a stranger just because you think you are supposed to!  I began to ask God to reveal to me that He did love me.  I concentrated on verses in the Bible that told of His love and what He had already done for me.  I began to know it was true for me as well as true in general.

I remember receiving prayer ministry by a team at church and asking them how I was supposed the keep feeling better when life happens.  A very wise brother said that it was God's presence with me that was the answer, not something I could do in times of need.

"And he will be their peace...." Micah 5:5

I am so excited that I am discovering that for myself.  It is the presence of God that is peace and is joy.  More specifically, it is the life of Jesus in me.  He said "my peace I give you" (John 14:27).   Jesus is peaceful in every circumstance.  He is the source of any peace that I experience.  It truly is peace that passes all understanding, because it isn't in my mind or even my emotions.  It is my spirit connected inseparably with the Holy Spirit (which is Jesus' spirit) that is full of peace and enjoyment of life.

Understanding this took me away from my idea of a technique or formula that would work for me.  It reminds me that it is all about that personal relationship God wants with us. Christianity isn't a set of doctrines (though we have them), but truly a relationship with our Creator and Father and Savior and Lord.

What is the point of this spiritual relationship?

making... progress...!

I have to admit that it seemed to be the answer to my need to have life work better for me.  I was relieved that freedom from depression or anxiety was my new normal.  I was thrilled with the satisfaction I was experiencing in day to day life.  I was delighted to escape fear of situations that were very sad or troubling.  I enjoyed making choices in my response instead of living as a victim of circumstances.  All these things are good and I desperately wanted them.  They are abundant life, to me.  But I've recently seen something more.

The point is not finding a way to control my life better through better responses.  It is to know God.  That's the whole point!    Knowing God is what we are made for!  I know I haven't been tested to the max, but it is clear to me that God's presence with me is the difference.  It doesn't feel like it matters what comes along in the future, or what the outcome will be, so much as it matters that I am not alone or on my own in it.  It doesn't seem as important to know why something is happening--or not happening--as it is to know that God will never leave me or forsake me.

"you will fill me with joy in your presence,"  (Psalm 16:11)

God is not distant and He is real.  His presence is more real than what I see and touch.  His presence alters my sense of reality and I am astounded at His goodness.  It makes me want to love Him back --to enjoy Him for who He is, not just for what He can do.  It also fuels my passion for bringing others into intimacy with Him.  He is so wanting to love on us!  It is my source of complete confidence in prayer for others.  He really wants us to be led into wholeness and filled with His love!

The whole point is love.  That's it.  He loves us and we get to overflow with it to others!  Wouldn't that change the world?