As Christ’s followers and believers, we have been granted a special position that gives us privilege to have an everlasting relationship with God the Creator as our heavenly Father. This relationship is not something that we earn, but it is given to us by His grace through faith in Jesus.

From Scripture, we know our true identity, as it is written: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).

As [beloved] God’s children, we are supposed to enjoy our relationship with the heavenly Father because of who He is (God is love) and what He does (He loves us forever—passionately, completely, and unconditionally). Therefore, we can live with freedom [from sin and death] and without fear [of punishment or condemnation]. God’s perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).

This means that in Christ Jesus we are to live with courage—because He is with us and in us. Our actions, minds, and words should be driven by faith and confidence in His power that works in and through us. Therefore, we should not boast in our own strength and abilities; there is nothing that we can boast about, except what the Lord has done. Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing.

As Paul the Apostle wrote, “As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.” (Galatians 6:14).

Without the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, we would not have been forgiven. Without His sacrifice, we would not have received salvation. Without His death, we would not have lived. Therefore, all our achievements in life should ultimately point to His accomplishment.

With this in mind, life should not be burdensome. Why? Because, after all, life is not about us. It is all about the One who lives in us, who works in and through us, and who ultimately deserves all honor, praise, and glory. Life in God is meant to be enjoyable, satisfying, fulfilling, and rewarding.

I would like to highlight the words of Paul, as recorded in the Bible:

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. Therefore, do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.

Philippians 2:13-16

The above verses clearly reveal the following principles of a life that enjoys [relationship with] God:

The divine driving force: As we surrender our life to Christ, we can rest assured that God is the One who works in us, orchestrating all things for our good and for His glory. He gives us the desire in our heart and empowers us to do what brings Him pleasure and honor. In other words, our heart’s desire aligns with His and our free will is submitted to Him. We will want and choose to trust, follow, and obey Him wholeheartedly and cheerfully—not under compulsion.

The daily manifestation: As we know that we have divine (supernatural) power in us, we are to do everything without grumbling or arguing. We would never complain about anything we truly enjoy. If we realize that all the blessings and good things in this life come from Him, we would only give thanks to the Life Giver. Of course, this does not mean that we should simply accept poor decisions, injustices, violations, and evil acts that could happen to us or others around us. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. Whenever we need to correct, criticize, or clarify things, we are to do it with God, not against God.

The dramatic outcome: As our mind is filled with gratitude and faith—instead of grumble and fear—we will stand out and shine among people in this world. Isn’t it remarkable that an uncomplaining attitude can lead us to such an elevated altitude: a pure and faultless life? We will shine bright like stars in the sky, in the darkness of night, as we live with a grateful heart in a world full of crooked and perverse people. The sin of ungratefulness, leading to unfaithfulness, had prevented many Israelites from entering the promised land. May this be a constant reminder for us to not repeat the same mistakes as we ourselves are in the journey to living out God’s promises in our life.

I pray that our life as Christians is genuinely characterized by overflowing joy and knowledge-surpassing peace (even in the midst of storm), which resulting from faith and gratitude in the presence of God. May our life be a delightful testimony of God’s goodness—His unending and unfailing love!

Therefore, I believe that a blessed life is a life that savors the love of God, experiences the power of God, and testifies the goodness of God. It is a life that revolves around the Fount of every blessing.

Dear brothers and sisters, how is your personal relationship with God? Have you enjoyed your walk with Him? Have you enjoyed Him (His words, His commands, His presence, etc.)? Have you lived with courage and confidence in His power and His promises? Have you continually lived in [alignment with] His will?

Remember that God’s desire for us is to ultimately enjoy Him! More than earthly fathers desire a satisfying relationship with their children, our heavenly Father wants us to have a sweet, rich, and meaningful fellowship and communion with Him.

Thanks be to God, He has shown us the way! Jesus Christ is the Way and we can start [and continue] the journey with faith and gratitude. Let us enjoy our walk with Him every step of the way!

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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^{This article was first written on October 31, 2025 and finalized on November 1, 2025 in Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada. The featured image was generated with AI.}