For many people the idea of becoming a child of God through Jesus Christ is no more than that—an idea. They accept it as an abstract fact but don’t really feel any experiential connection with God. This is why God did more than just change our status in Christ. He didn’t just give us a new ‘label’. He has put his Spirit within us so that we could experience his loving presence and fatherly guidance. I don’t want my children to only believe in a theoretical sense that I am their loving father. No, I want them to feel loved. And so, I communicate with them, and I hug them incessantly. Likewise, God wants you to experience his love. And the outpouring of his Spirit is like his hug. The reason why we don’t experience the love of God is because this relationship, like all others, requires active engagement. If I don’t engage with my children then, indeed, my relationship with them is only a label. Engaging with God is actually very simple. When you go through your day, engage with God. When you drive in the car, turn the radio off for a bit, and talk to God. God is with us and within us always, but if we ignore him, we won’t experience his presence. If you are in the habit of living without God, it takes time to cultivate the new habit of living with God. You are not alone. Start the conversation and let your life be an ongoing process of interaction with God.
Talk to God about your life and concerns.
Read Romans 8:12-17
