Sooooo, what does it mean to have a relationship with Jesus Christ?

Just before Jesus made his final ascension to heaven he made this promise to all believers:

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

From the moment someone prays to receive Jesus Christ into their hearts, God becomes your partner in this life. This gift of the Holy Spirit becomes your inner voice that prompts you with what to do, say or changes in your life he desires for you to make.

You see, God loves us so much that he wants to be your life's partner to hold you when the burden of this life becomes a bit much for you to handle, to lead you to other believers to encourage you and refresh you with the encouraging words, and through time help you become like Jesus.

In the beginning of life's journey, these changes will be subtle from who you choose to spend time with or the inner prompting to pray for someone or eliminating words from your vocabulary.

It is as though we are on a backpacking trip navigating a terrain that is complete with rough patches of stones and boulders and thistles, and Jesus becomes your guide on this uncertain path.

Often, it seems, we really do not sense his presence until terrible things happen to us inlife--

The death of a child
The death of a loved one
The loss of a job
The diagnosis that comes out of nowhere

Through each painful incident you encounter, Jesus is beside you prompting you with those verses from the ancient texts to remind you that you haven't been forsaken, nor forgotten and that he will be there for you as those tough times are encountered. Verses like:

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3
“You saw the suffering of our ancestors in Egypt; you heard their cry at the Red Sea. Nehemiah 9:9
My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. Psalm 119:50
After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. Acts 1:3

For some of us who are unable to continue the journey, Jesus will quite literally pick us up, and instead of two sets of footprints, there becomes one. As those storms become intense with the loud thunder and lightning and heavy rain, he reminds us through the prompting of the Holy Spirit that things are going to be Ok.

To God, you were more than just a number. You are someone that He wants to walk with on this life's journey. He understands that life is often filled with pitfalls and gut-wrenching physical and emotional pain but through his son Jesus Christ, wants to help you on your journey.


The person who helped you to receive Jesus into your heart may be long gone from your life, but the gift of the Holy Spirit lives on in you. Now, that is something you can count on.