More Than a Relationship

“Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.” I Peter 3:15 (The Message)

I was talking last time we were together about what type of relationship I want to have with my Heavenly Father – not a registered class at a college but a living, breathing investment of myself and Him together, getting to know each other and building upon that connection.

As much as I believe that, it’s also about more than just having a relationship.  Especially in today’s society, there is an importance to knowing the “why” behind what I believe.  To being able to talk to others about the “why” behind the reasons I can trust God is a living, breathing Holy entity and not just some imaginary person I made up.  Why I believe the Bible to be His infallible word and why everything written between the covers of that book leads my life.

Three fifths of my family took a class at our church this spring. More of our family would take it, but they don’t meet the age requirements quite yet.  It’s an insightful, wonderful class that gets me thinking about the “why” behind what I believe.  I’m ashamed to admit, but before taking the class, I believed some false ideas about the Bible and never really cared to question them.  For instance, I knew that our world wasn’t created “millions of years ago” despite what the science books thought, but I never realized how important that line of thinking was and the importance of being able to explain the reason why I believe it’s only 6000 years old.  I’m not writing this blog to argue with those who don’t share my beliefs, but instead to share the importance of knowing why I believe the whole Bible is true in order to help others see that God’s invitation for salvation is very real as well.

I’ve always been more about relationships and people and encouragement over facts and rules and rituals.  That’s my personality.  I live more emotionally than factually; but I’m realizing how important it is to teach my children about both – the importance and value of an intimate relationship with God as well as the facts behind His history. There are some things God asks us to believe in faith.  Being an emotional person versus factual person – that comes easier to me than maybe to others.  However, it’s important to know the facts God has revealed to people through science and artifacts and data to help explain things to others.

I believe God wants His children to be knowledgeable in both – understanding the facts and truths from a Biblical point of view and taking the time to connect with Him in an intimate relationship as we get to know Him deeper.

I would be happy to share with you the resources our Bible study has been using to teach us the interesting facts I’ve been learning about the truth of the Bible, the proof scientists have found and how amazing God’s creation truly is. After all, it truly is more than just a relationship.

© Cheri Swalwell 2017