Our Father yearns for a close relationship with each of His Children: Jesus showed us how

In this beautiful, yet broken world we live in, we see disheartening news in virtually every direction we look. Much of the turmoil that is seen stems from failing or failed relationships with one another. Today, I want to tell you of a relationship that can never fail. There is One who will always be faithful. God, the Father of us all, yearns to connect with each of his children everywhere – to connect with YOU!

Jesus showed us by example how to develop a close relationship with God. He spent time alone, praying to His Father (with a capital F), seeking to be near Him. He always did what his Father wanted him to do. To show his willingness to obey God, and his desire to connect with Him in a special way, he was baptized. Immediately after Jesus was immersed in the water, God’s voice was heard: “[You are] my beloved Son; in [you] I am well pleased.” -Luke 3:22

For us also, baptism marks the beginning of a personal, committed relationship with God our Father. As with Jesus, we begin to fulfill both our divine identity and potential as sons and daughters of the Divine when we take such a step. God is more than pleased to join with us, to do much more with us and through us, than we could on our own.

A Covenant with God

This incredible partnership is called a covenant relationship: a close union that allows God to help us and change us.

Making a covenant with God binds us to Him, and brings access to ALL the blessings God promised His covenant people anciently, most notably the blessings He promised to Abraham and his descendants in the Bible. He has NOT forgotten us, and delights to deliver on His amazing promises! In coming articles, I will highlight several of God’s covenant promises as I have seen them fulfilled in my own life.

When we bind ourselves with God, He is bound to bless us and help us in ways only a God can. He is thrilled to do this because of his special love and mercy toward those who have made such a covenant with him. The Hebrew word that describes this covenantal love, is Hesed. We can count on His tenacity to keep working with us. Even when we stray, He will NEVER give up on us and will keep providing opportunities for us to come back into his outstretched arms.

We can see the great power and blessings that have come from the covenant relationship between Jesus and his Father. He was given power to heal the sick, change water to wine, multiply bread and fish, and many many other wonders, including and culminating in his great atoning sacrifice and triumph over death. All this because of his very close relationship with his Father. When we similarly develop a covenant relationship with our Father, we can also see great power and blessings flow into our own story, even miracles!

Power of covenant-making in my story

In coming articles, I look forward to sharing with you how my covenant journey began and my earliest experience seeing the power of covenant-making come to life, at a time of urgent need. Teaser: think jellyfish!

For now, I invite you to consider God’s offer to covenant with you – the opportunity of a lifetime. The opportunity of your life! His invitation is open to one and all.

Note: the idea of covenant making and covenant keeping is a new concept for most in this modern age, so be patient with yourself as you seek understanding. Consider re-reading this message, or talk with someone you know who has been baptized and ask what their covenant with God means to them. You can find ideas on how to strengthen your relationship with God and prepare for making your own covenant with Him, by navigating to comeuntochrist.org

Reference: much of this message originates from a message from President Russell M. Nelson, someone I deeply admire and respect, someone I consider to be a messenger from God. You can find it in the October 2022 issue of the Liahona magazine here: The Everlasting Covenant