There is a popular saying I have seen on several church marquees. “No God No Peace, Know God Know Peace”. The last few months I have been facilitating a young adult bible study. One topic that seems to come up a lot is knowing God and having a relationship with Him.
When I talk about having a relationship with God you may be thinking these questions. Can you really have a relationship with someone you can’t see or touch? Can I really get to know God on a personal level? Well I am happy to share that yes you can have a relationship with God even though you can’t physically see him. And yes, you can know him on a personal level. In fact, God wants you to know Him and have a relationship with Him. He already knows us and despite all our faults and shortcomings still loves us and desires a relationship.
I think it is so hard for us to understand the concept of relationships because we as humans do not know how to have true relationships. We betray each other, fail each other, deceive each other and end up hurt and disappointed. Many times it is not intentional that we act this way. We just don’t know how to treat, love and forgive each other. Thankfully God does and wants a relationship with us. Contrary to the worlds version of relationships, God’s relationship is perfect!
So, how do you have a relationship with almighty God? As with any relationship you start with getting to know them. To truly know God, you have to know His character and understand who He is. The Bible shares scripture after scripture of God revealing Himself to us. His character is revealed time and time again as we see His love, mercy and judgment toward His people in the Old Testament. As we study the life of Jesus, God’s son, we can learn even more about God. Reading the Bible is a great way for us to know who God is.
Hanging out with God’s friends is another great way to get to know him. Being around other believers creates opportunities to have conversations about God and hear what God has shown them. But, be careful not to solely rely on their relationship with God. It’s important you discover God personally and understand that your relationship will be unique to you and Him. Use these friendships to guide you to where to find God in His word and build your faith. We believers don’t have all the answers about God and as humans can be known to gossip about our friends so be cautious and make sure what you learn of Him through His friends lines up with His word.
Another way we develop a relationship with God is to spend time talking to Him. He promises to hear the prayer of His children. So if we are saved, our prayers are being heard by the God of the Universe as a dear Father listening to the words of His child. Even when it feels you aren’t being heard, God is listening. He’s never too busy for us.
Additionally, make time for God. Spend time meditating and seeking Him. Some of my closest moments with God have been when I am alone and quiet before him. Being still can be a challenge in this very busy world. But, these times are when we will feel His spirit most. It can manifest in many ways. I have felt it in a soft breeze blowing leaves, the sound of birds chirping, and in the sound of a gentle creek flowing. Most of the time God is waiting for us to stop and look for Him. He doesn’t want to force himself on us. He’s not that annoying friend who demands our attention. He’s waiting on us to call Him.
The more time we spend studying about God, talking about who God is, praying to Him and spending alone time with Him the more we will “Know God”. The more we know God the more we find peace. We discover our Best Friend, God, loves us and wants the best for us. He doesn’t promise us a life of ease or fame and fortune but he does promise us peace. He tells us we can cast our cares on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). He tells us in Philippians 4:7 we can have peace that passeth all understanding. So despite what we are going through we can “Know Peace” because we “Know God” and have a relationship with Him.
The Adventurous Life 