Seeking Relationship

It started when I had the opportunity to present a devotional on a TeenPact class. As I prayed about what to share, I knew that the Lord wanted me to talk about having relationship with the Father by simply being in the presence of the Lord. Working to prepare for the devo, I spent less time with the Lord and focused more on preparing rather than following what God was teaching me. I was missing the whole point of my message. Thankfully, God did not leave me there but continued to drive this truth home in my life.

God has extended to us an amazing invitation to know His heart and be one with Him. It is the reason that He died in our place. In Ephesians 2:12, Paul explains our position before knowing Christ as “having no hope and without God in the world.” Verse 13 goes on to say: 

“But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” 

His death on the cross opened up the way for us to have this intimate friendship with Him. Later on, in verse 18, he continues, “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” Jesus brought us back to communion with the Father.

If you want to get to know someone well, you will spend time with them and they with you. It takes both individuals investing in the relationship. It is the same way with God. He is not looking for us to spend 30 minutes in the morning and a few moments before bed and the rest of the day to leave Him sitting on our desks. Relationship with Christ is so much more than that! He wants to do life with us! John 17:3 declares, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the one true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” We shouldn’t just know a lot about Him, but instead know him as a friend, a Father, a Savior. He sacrificed Himself on the Cross for this very reason – to make way for this relationship between you and Him. He has invested everything into it. Have you?

In the Old Testament, there was a veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, where the very presence of the Lord dwelt. This veil wasn’t any old curtain but was 70 feet long, 30 feet high, and 4 inches thick! Entering the Holy of Holies once a year, the High Priest made a sacrifice on the Day of Atonement. Once a year, that’s it! When Christ died for us, that veil tore in two from top to bottom. (Mark 15:33) The Hebrew word for “veil” means “to separate.” Before Christ, humanity had no regular access to the Father. But by tearing it in two, He removed the barrier that kept us from entering into the presence of the Almighty God. I hope that we don’t take this lightly but come to truly understand the relationship with Jesus made available to us and seek Him with all of our hearts.

Editor’s Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official views of TeenPact Leadership Schools. To learn more about our Vision & Values, please visit teenpact.com/vision-values/.