So, how do we relate to such an overwhelmingly passionate and loving God?  A few thoughts:

1) Accept Christ as your go-between.  He’s a sort of “voltage regulator” between us and God.  “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).  He brings God to our level.

2) Expect him to want time with you.  “He appointed twelve…that they might be with him…” (Mk. 3:14).  “I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3).  He wants your time and he wants you to let him walk with you.

3) Expect him to be excited about you.  God gets excited about us—our blessings and victories.  “There will be… rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents…” (Luke 15:7).  You think parents get excited over their children.  Well, heaven erupts when just one of us turns back to him.

4) Expect to be called to be your best.  “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11).  Just as with Israel, God has big plans for all of us.  Listen up.

5) Expect him to get really upset when you mess up.  “God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses his wrath every day” (Psa. 7:11).  There is a saying that “if momma ain’t happy ain’t nobody happy.”  If that’s even halfway true, what about when God ain’t happy?

6) Don’t mess with God.  “For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Pet. 4:17).  Don’t mess with God.  Period.

7) Don’t miss out on God.  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28).  God in you is the greatest blessing of all.  None other can even be compared to it!