The Velveteen Rabbit

"Though you have not seen him, you love him.  Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory."  -1 Peter 1:8

"There is salvation in no one else!  There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them."  -Acts 4:12

{Jesus speaking}  "Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me.  And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them.  And I will reveal myself to each one of them."  -John 14:21

"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."   -John 15:5

I grew up a PK. (Pastor's Kid) This means that I grew up in the church.  My dad is an amazing person, pastor, dad, etc.  He has a way of telling people about the love and hope of Jesus that reaches people.  God truly has gifted him and speaks through him.

In spite of this surrounding me while growing up, I am human.  I make choices and have lived my life in my own little bubble.  Life has been mine to control.  I have always believed that Jesus was God's son, but I didn't really feel the impact of that until...well until I opened my eyes and saw the truth-that Jesus wanted more than just my belief in him.  He wanted a relationship with me....a bonding, communicating, tangible relationship.

I have friends, children, and a husband that I have this conversation with on a regular basis.  For whatever reason, they were, at one point, where I was.  Believing in the truth, but not understanding  that a real relationship was possible with Jesus.  Some just practice religion and think that if they show up on Sunday and do their part, that it is enough.

If this is you, I am not here to tell you that you are wrong or that you are not going to go to heaven.  God says that all we have to do is believe AND I am not the ultimate judge or going to pretend to be God.  I am just saying YOU COULD HAVE SO MUCH MORE!

How? And what difference would it make?

Do you remember reading The Velveteen Rabbit as a child?

The toy rabbit wants so much to be real and asks the horse how this happens:

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse.  "It's a thing that happens to you.  When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

Having a relationship with Jesus is like becoming real in the story.  The more time you spend with Jesus-talking, praying, studying his word, spending time with other believers-the more real and tangible your relationship becomes.  How does this benefit you?  Try it.  You'll be amazed at the difference it makes in your life.  

You don't have to say anything fancy.  Just breathe, pause and talk to him.  Slowly you will begin to understand the impact it has in every moment of your life.  It is in this relationship that you can find joy, peace, strength, endurance, and the truest form of love.  Until you know the love of Jesus, it is impossible for you to truly love others with complete abandonment.  The transformation is astounding.  

Jesus longs for you to seek him.  What are you waiting for?  Whatever you have pressing on you...whatever is stressful...whatever you can't let go of...whatever you need help with...this is the answer.