By Judy Villanueva

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. (Revelations 3:20)

“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.” (John 15:9)

I am writing this for a special friend of mine who recently asked me to explain what it is to have a personal relationship with God.  This woman is someone I consider a lifetime mentor, someone who has walked with God since her childhood.  She is someone who loves God deeply.  On the day she called me she had heard a sermon that urged the listener to have a personal relationship with God.  “What?” She considered. “What is he talking about?  I can’t be the only person who doesn’t understand what he means.”  She explained to me that in her faith tradition, God is King.  He is Other.  He is to be revered and awed, bowed to, sung to, prayed to and esteemed… but, to call him friend, or use the word “personal” to describe her relationship with Him, felt like it crossed a boundary of respect.  The notion was unfamiliar and somewhat uncomfortable, but it had, nonetheless, caught her attention!

What is a personal relationship with God?  It sounds presumptuous at the very least, and might even feel audacious or fairytale-like.  But, think about it for a minute — Isn’t the idea spectacular?  

Doesn’t it feel intriguing and beautiful and exquisite to consider that it is possible to have a mutual and intimate friendship with God?  

We can tend to be intimidated by the “otherness” of God and miss all the ways His love reaches out to touch us.  Every.  Single.  Day.  Could it be that the love of God feels more familiar than we recognize?  The formality of church invites us to worship and adore the God who is hallowed and majestic but consider, that this same God calls us children and friends.  Doesn’t the fact that God is Love mean that WHO He is — IS personal?

Love is always personal.  

The fact is, we could never hope to be friends with God if it were up to us.  It would be like strolling into a castle and taking a casual seat next to the king.  “Hey, buddy!”  NO!  The king must summon us — and He did!  Relationship was God’s idea and before we dared call Him friend, He called us children.  But, that’s not all!  The cross demonstrated the lengths God will go to prove His love for us.   And, yes, the sacrifice of His only Son was audacious and spectacular and exquisite and indeed, the TRUEST tale of LOVE ever told! 

How do we have a personal relationship with God? 

We start by saying “yes” to the King’s invitation to come and then we take our place at His table.  We let Him be our Father, and one day at a time, we learn to recognize His voice, notice His presence, and delight in being His child — named, known and deeply loved.

“Thank you, Father, that you call me friend— that You know my name and are acquainted with all my ways!  Keep reminding me that you are a close and personal God.  Help me  feel the reality of your love.  Amen.”

What about you?  

How do you respond to the the idea that God knows your name and loves you personally?

What is your relationship with God like?

Would you like to feel closer to God?  Ask Him to draw near and help you feel His love.

God loves you right now and always — no matter what.  I pray you will say “yes” to His invitation to come.

Worship