A Relationship with God – Where to Begin?

A few years ago, my family needed to renew our passports as soon as possible to get our visas. Our next move depended on the acquisition of said passports. But the demand was very high, and we were told our passports would take at least 30 days to arrive. We prayed, and, in conversation with friends, mentioned our situation and distress. One of them said, “Oh, that’s not a problem. I have a friend at the federal police. I’m going to talk to her.” Five days later, we had our passports in hand.

Some people would call this a “shortcut” in a pejorative sense, but when we are the ones in trouble and have a friend who can solve it, we call it a blessing.

Every one of us will need this “shortcut” to get into Heaven. After all, only those who are friends with Jesus will enter there. So how do we even begin to develop a relationship with Jesus?

Who is Jesus?

First, it’s important to keep in mind who Jesus is: He is the Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace. What I mean is that with Him, wonderful things happen. The best advice comes from Him, (very important for those who have doubts in life and are in need of good, solid advice).

Almighty God is the certainty of protection. He owns time, and in time things work out. And peace…ah that blessed feeling! Even more so if it’s peace of mind! With Him, we can have true peace. He loves us so much that He became our Intercessor. Heaven is made possible for us by Him and through Him. Bearing that in mind is very important because it strengthens our faith, and with faith, though very small at first, we can take the second step: talking to Him.

How to talk to God

We know that we talk to God through prayer and that it should be done on our knees, showing our reverence for Him. But prayer and conversation with God should also happen in our thoughts while we are doing everything else in life. It’s like having a Bluetooth connection with that real friend, with whom we like to share everything that happens. That’s what a relationship with Jesus is: talking. It’s that simple. It’s telling Him what’s going on in our hearts, what makes us happy, what makes us anxious, frustrated and sad, when we can’t understand His purposes, and even when we think it’s His fault. The important thing is that He understands us. With Him, we can feel safe, speak without fear. He wants to hear us.

Warning: Proceed with caution

But beware: this relationship can give you direct, immediate answers, wonderful feelings of peace and happiness, or … nothing. That’s right, sometimes it may seem like God is very far away, and you will feel like you are talking to yourself. But keep going. That is faith: to remain constant, regardless of feelings.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not [felt].

Hebrews 11:1

Remember: He is the owner of time, and with time all things work out. In time, you will grow your friendship with Jesus.