Time to Define the Relationship

One of my ministry highlights has become our Thursday night Bible studies with the youth group in the fall of each year. These nights have been a source of encouragement in my life because I get to sit down with young people that want to deepen their relationship with God more. One of our past topics was the book, Crazy Love. The book asks the question, "How can I deepen my relationship with God?" In simple words, how deep is my commitment to God?

When we look at our relationship with God, many of us, I assume, feel pretty confident in the commitment we have to our heavenly Father. I do not know if you have ever had the "define the relationship" talk with a significant other. It is the conversation where a couple sits down and honestly tries to figure out how deep the connection between each other is. For many teenagers, it is the point where they decide to stay in the friend zone or open up about the possibility of moving forward in a relationship. In Luke 14, Jesus shows us the type of relationship that He needs from us. Jesus is seeking a relationship that goes above and beyond all other people in this world, even our families! Jesus asks us to put Him before anyone else in our lives! Jesus gave up himself so that we could have a relationship with Him and our Father in Heaven.

Think about the relationship you have with Jesus. Is it one that sacrifices so that Jesus remains the number one thing in your life? When I see couples, no matter the age, in public holding hands, it shows a sense of intimacy. The couple is walking around saying to me; I do not care who you are or what you think, this is the person I love, and I want to show them off to you. I am not ashamed to be seen with them, and it does not matter what others think of me. That is the relationship I want with Jesus. I want to be so proud of what He is doing in my life that I show Him off to anyone and everyone that I meet. I want people to see that I love Him more than anything else in this world!

This week I want to challenge you to define your relationship with Jesus. Where does it stand? Is it the most important relationship you have? How can it become better? Remember that Jesus gave up everything to have a relationship with YOU? What will give up to have a relationship with HIM?

Thanks,

Will Myhan

John 3:30