As human beings, we are always longing for more. We long for connection. Some people need a lot of connection and some need only a little. We do need to belong to something. It is how we were created. We need love, meaning and guidance. It is a relationship with God that fulfills all of these needs. Fr. Mike Schmitz, in The Catechism in a Year podcast, explains that we were created for God to share His truth, goodness and beauty. We were created to be in relationship with God.
We search for that Agape love that really only God gives. It is a selfless, unconditional love. As John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” Now that is love! James 4:8 reminds us, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you of two minds.” He is waiting for us. Always.
Understanding the Trinity: One God, Three Persons
To know God is to love God. God is one in three persons, otherwise known as the Trinity . This concept can be very difficult for many people to understand. Take your time and just let the understanding overcome you. Spend time with the scripture that is provided. Bring your open heart and your open mind.
God is three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each fulfills a specific part of our relationship with God.
God the Father: Creator, provider, and loving parent.
1 John 3:1 portrays this role, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God.” God guides us and loves us unconditionally. He provides rules (commandments) to help us grow into wonderful people.
God the Son (Jesus Christ): Savior, Redeemer, and Friend.
Turn to John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This scripture states the role of Jesus. He is our brother, the Son of God. He provides for us a role model to live as our Father would like us to. He provides comfort. He shows us the way. The day He hung on the cross for our sins, He showed His humanity as the Son of God. The day He rose from the dead, he demonstrated his godliness.
God the Holy Spirit: Guide, Comforter, and Empowerer.
Known as the Advocate, the Holy Spirit came forth as sort of a rebirth to give power and strength to our relationship with God. As John 14:26 states, “The Advocate, the holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that [I] told you.” God the Father sent the Holy Spirit to fill us with love and knowledge. The Holy Spirit brought both Fruits and Gifts. I encourage you to get to know the third person in the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.
Why We Should Have a Relationship With God
A relationship with God brings us fulfillment of purpose and identity. It was what we were created for. We also receive assurance of unconditional love and forgiveness. These are lacking in the world today. When we hold on to the fact that we are loved unconditionally, we know that we do not need to be perfect.
When we spend time building our relationship with God in the Trinity, we have strength for the challenges life brings us. There will be challenges. Thankfully, we have a wise counselor and Advocate to help provide guidance for life decisions. Ask for God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit to be with you. Keep in your heart Psalm 16:11, “You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.”
How to Develop a Relationship With God
Many people are unsure how to develop their relationship with God. He just wants us to give of ourself through time spent with Him. Carve out time to devote to God. There are many different ways to do it. Using a combination of ways is best. Here are some ideas:
- Prayer: Speaking and listening to God daily. This can be done several times a day. These can be short sessions or longer ones. Try saying a prayer before you get out of bed in the morning and every time you get in a car. Say a prayer of gratitude at the end of every day and every time you make it safely to a destination.
- Scripture reading: Knowing His Word to know His heart. Spend time reading the Bible. It can be a short verse or something longer. Say a prayer for God to guide you in your reading. After reading, take the time to just sit quietly and listen to what God is telling you.
- Worship: Honoring Him in spirit and truth. You can praise God at any time, offering Him thanks. Sing His praises through a song. Attending Mass or a religious service is a great way to spend time in worship.
- Community: Fellowship with other believers. Remember Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Fellowship can be social and it can also be in service.
Devote yourself to God just as Acts 2:42 tells us, “They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.”
How to Deepen That Relationship with God
You are building that relationship or maybe you already have one. Great job! Now work on deepening that relationship. Having consistency and discipline in your time devoted to God will help. The world certainly offers enough distractions and reasons why we can’t be consistent. Our Free Will is the one ultimately responsible for that decision.
Start by always seeking God’s will over personal desires. Pray about it. Ask yourself, “Is this something I want or is this something God wants for me?” When in doubt, pray with scripture. The Bible offers plenty of wisdom and guidance. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in your reading, prayer and discernment. That which does not align with God’s teachings, pulls us away from Him. Remember that obedience to His commands is an act of love. In John 14:15, God clearly tells us “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
Living Out Your Relationship With God
God does not want us to keep our relationship with him private. In fact, living it out loud is a form of evangelization. Here are some ways to live out your relationship with God:
- Reflect Jesus in your words, actions and choices. Always be kind. Use kind and loving words in all that you do. Act with kindness. Help others when possible. Offer support and encouragement. Choose what is tight over what is easy or mainstream.
- Loving others as He loves us. God loves us unconditionally. Love people as He does. Love them because they were created by God. Love them just because they are.
- Sharing your faith and testimony. Speak life by sharing how God has changed yours. This can be done casually as the opportunity arises. Be ready. Know your story and practice it. Don’t make it a lecture. Tell it like you would talk a bout an influential person in your life.
“Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:16)
Your Calling to Relationship with God
Remember that your relationship with God through the Trinity brings purpose, joy, and eternal hope. This should be something you strive for and something you want for others. Take one step today toward deepening your walk with God. If you are so included, share it in the comments so I can pray for you. Keep with you Jeremiah 29:13, “When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart,” Let’s wrap up with a prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for inviting us into a loving relationship with You through the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Help us to seek You daily, to hear Your voice, and to walk in Your truth. Deepen our love for You and guide us to live out our faith with courage and joy. May our lives reflect Your light so that others may come to know You and experience the fullness of Your love.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
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