It’s a relationship with you that God desires; not a perfect checklist of all the “good things” you’ve done. It’s not about how many scriptures you know or how deep your theology is. It’s all about relationship.

God didn’t save us from our messes just to merely be “good.” If that were the case, He would have made us to stay perfect from the beginning and not allowed trouble to come our way. Instead, He wants to teach us more about His character through hardship and pain. He can show us how strong His arm is to save us from the wreckage. He shows us how powerful His love is through forgiveness. He shows us His spiritual attributes with peace and joy despite the pain and suffering.

When I look back at my life I don’t see a God who did a Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo to make my life perfect. No. It took days and weeks and months and years of me spending time with Him.

I think back to some of the experiences I have had with God.…. Some full of laughter and joy! Some full of awe and amazement because of His miracles. Some full of questions, trying to understand the “whys” and “whats” of things happening in life. And some of pure and utter desperation…face down on the floor…tears watering the carpet beneath…crying out to God asking Him to rescue me from the excruciating emotional and sometimes physical pain.

It’s all a part of relationship with Him. We’ve been through things TOGETHER. We’ve done life TOGETHER. He’s held me, loved me, comforted me, guided me, and most importantly saved me from the grips of sin and death that entangled me.

Relationship with God through life’s journey gives meaning and purpose for it all. We can choose to do it alone in a shallow and dark world. Or we can join with Him and see His brightness and glory right smack dab in the bleakest of circumstances. That’s where He seems shines the brightest!