Leah Grace Hello! I’m pleased to share a wonderful post with you all today, written by Grace Sweeney. She and Ann Weaver co-write on their blog, Where Brook and River Meet. I’d love for you to check their blog out, it’s so encouraging and thought provoking!
Last summer as we were driving through Albania (where my family currently lives), we saw a shepherd on the hillside. He was leading his sheep through the long grass, up to the top of a rocky ridge. Though it was very high (and likely dangerous) the sheep followed him without even looking back. When they finally reached the top of the hill, the shepherd continued walking and leading his sheep to wherever they were going. Probably home, with a shelter and food, or to a fine pasture to graze in.
Despite the steep rocks and dangerous path, the sheep were willing to follow him wherever he led because they knew him and trusted him.
A shepherd has to have a relationship with his sheep. He has to know them and they have to know him in order for them to be willing to follow.
In John 10 Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me” (ESV). He wants us to be in relationship with Him, because it brings us closer to Him and helps us learn to follow Him better.
God is a relational being. God is One God, but He is also three Persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They exist in perfect harmony and relationship together.
At creation God made us in His image. Because He is relational, we are too. He made Eve as a helper for Adam “because it is not good that man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18, ESV). Every person is in relationship, be it with family, friends, coworkers, etc.
But He doesn’t just extend the joy of relationship to us on a human level. He, the God of all creation, wants us to enjoy a relationship with Him, our Creator. Our relationship with Him should be closer than any other relationship we have.
Jesus came to earth from heaven so that He could reconcile us back to God. When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, they separated themselves (and the rest of humanity) from the perfect, sinless God. The relationship was breached. But God’s heart never changed—He still desired a close relationship with humankind, and was willing to sacrifice Himself to restore it.
Our Good Shepherd, Jesus, willingly entered this world’s darkness to bring back the light-filled relationship that was available in the garden.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, ESV). Eternal life in close relationship with the God of Heaven.
And again in John 17:3, Jesus says, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” It’s all about knowing Him.
But why does God pursue relationship with us? We certainly aren’t worthy of being in a relationship with the all-powerful, all-knowing Creator of the world.
He loves us. It’s that simple.
I’m a writer. When I’m working on a new story, one of the first things I do is get to know my characters. More often than not, I find myself loving them and their personalities, even though I created them.
It’s the same way with God. He created us. We are formed by His hands. He loves what He makes.
Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”
God wants a relationship with us. He initiates it. He offers it. He continuously invites us into communion with Him.
It’s up to us to accept His offer.
He loves YOU. Yes, you. He wants to be closer to you. He wants to spend time with you, right now. He wants to be your Shepherd and lead you atop hills and through valleys with His strong and gentle hand, helping you through the hard times of life. He wants to talk with you. He wants you to be in an intimate friendship with Him—the all-powerful, all-knowing, loving God. And it can start now.
Won’t you accept that invitation today, this moment?
If you’ve already accepted Christ, go spend time with Him in His Word and in prayer, getting to know Him more. And if you don’t yet know Him as your personal Savior, believe that He came for you and ask Him to come into your life today.
I love how Grace emphasized that everything Jesus did was out of love, because that was truly His driving force for what He did on earth (John 3:16).
This post was such a good reminder that when we believe, repent from our sins, and follow Jesus, we are transferred from the kingdom of darkness into God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13). The next step would be to get baptized, as Peter says in Acts 2:38. Then, we follow Jesus’s command— follow Him!
God is incredibly personal and relational. He’s taken me on many adventures + journeys, and I’ve gotten so close to Him. He’s my very best friend, and I can honestly say that.
If you’d like to read some more blog posts like this, check these ones out:
- God Wants A Personal Relationship With You
- How Does The Love Of God Affect Our Everyday Lives? (A testimony)
- The Danger Of Apathy: It Wants To Ruin You (A testimony)
- I am your Shepherd — Love Letter #1
Now, I’d love to hear from you in the comments! Have you ever had a moment with the Lord that felt so personal and wonderful?
Amen, this is so true!
Yes!
I need to remember this – God is not just a box to cross off, he wants to have a very real and personal relationship with us. How wonderful! Great post, Grace!
Yes, I agree with you!
And thank you both!
You’re welcome!
Nice job, Grace!
(Grace is my sister, just so you know.)
Oh, okay. Good to know!