Steering wheel or spare tire

I believe God by nature is personal, immutable, omniscient, omnipotent. He possesses personality, emotions, rationale and reason — the ability to communicate, to speak, to be heard, and to listen. Yet it is a rare person who pursues a deep enough relationship that they know the voice and will of their father on a regular basis. So how personal is your relationship? When was the last time you heard his voice with confidence?

In the last few emails I have been writing about prayer. Prayer is more than just a petition to God for help. Prayer can be a conversation as simple as. “I’m having a great day, God, and I want to thank you.”

Prayer does not need to be filled with fancy language or only done at a certain time of day. I spend a few minutes while driving to work to have a conversation with God. Granted the people on the freeway might think I’m a lunatic, but I have found if I put on my cell phone earpiece I don’t get the stares I used to.

God is omnipresent, He is everywhere, with that said one might rationalize, “if He knows everything about me why do I need to check in with him?” I can use the government as an example. They know where you work, how much you make, how many kids you have, they know your address, but what they don’t know is your favorite color, what you had for breakfast, what your worries are, what your concerns are. You would have to send them a letter telling them all about you and if you could get someone to read it would they care?

God wants you to talk to him, talk to him when things are good, request direction when you don’t know the way. Got wants to sit on the porch and have a glass of ice tea with you.

When you begin to establish this father-child relationship with God, you will be able to distinguish when He is talking to you. You will know when He is giving you direction. You will feel His presence while you go about your daily routine.

It is never too late to start. We just need to look at the example Jesus set forth in His story of the prodigal son. A son who takes his inheritance, leaves, squanders it on who knows what, becomes a slave, hangs his head in shame as he returns home, and is welcomed home with a huge party.

Luke 15:22″But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

A conversation with God (prayer) will steer you on the right path.