Getting Personal with God
We often think of God as a distant being who created the universe, setting things in motion, then leaving us alone to figure things out. This couldn’t be further from the truth. God desires to be in intimate relationship with you. It was through His infinite love that all that is came into being. But we often forget or don’t want to believe.
In the times of Exodus the people did not see God as their Father. They were unable to connect with Him in a personal way, to experience the tenderness of His love and mercy. In fact, they feared God. The preferred to have a middle-man like Moses do all the talking on their behalf. The lay people weren’t allowed to enter into the presence of God.
Lucky for us Jesus has revealed to us the heart of God and extended us an invitation to enter—or reenter—into personal relationship with God, to get to know God intimately like He, Moses, Abraham, and David knew Him. This is why the veil in the temple was torn after He was crucified. God was no longer separated from His people, but in intimate union, or communion with Him.
From Slaves to Sons (and Daughters)
Not only does God want us to know Him, but He wants us to be a part of His family, to be His sons and daughters. Through baptism this becomes a reality.
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba, Father!”
~ Romans 8:15
St. Paul reminds us where we came from, slavery. Slaves to what? Our sins. Ourselves. The false gods we’ve created for ourselves. This is why we don’t call out to God as some distant Creator, but as our Father who has loved us into existence. He is constantly “fathering” us, teaching us, leading us, and loving us throughout this journey we call life.
The Beginning of the Spiritual Life
Being able to understand this concept and reality can be difficult for some, myself included, who haven’t had the lived experience of a father. In my case, I grew up with my single mom and little brother. Needless to say it took awhile for me to grasp the idea that God was my Father. What really opened my eyes to the beauty of this relationship has been the experience of becoming a father myself. Being a parent, a father especially, gives you a great insight into the way God loves us. This is the key to the spiritual life.
After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened [for him], and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove [and] coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
~ Matthew 3:16-17
It was recognizing this sonship that Jesus’ mission began. We too when we are baptized enter into the same relationship with God as Father. As the water and spirit cleanse us of original sin we are also united in a real way to God as His sons and daughters. Until we understand this we won’t make very much progress in the spiritual life. This is why baptism is necessary for our salvation.
All About Relationship
Our religion is about relationship. Our Father knows what’s best for us. He wants what’s best for us. He can see our potential and desires that we achieve it. He holds you in His hands, leading you and guiding. He wants to give His love and for us to receive it. His will is for you and I to know Him, to love Him, and to learn to love like Him. And it all starts with recognizing the reality of this relationship.