Our lives are filled with various tasks such as work, paying bills, writing, doing chores, and laundry. These tasks consume significant time and energy, which may distract us from what is truly important in life. Relationships are crucial in life since they are the means to what matters most. We were designed to live in a relationship with God and with others. When Jesus said, "Just believe (Mark 5:36)," he referred to the most significant aspect of life, relationships — Just Believe!

All people desire a fulfilling and meaningful life centered around relationships. However, people must center their lives around a personal connection with God to achieve this goal. This connection can only be established through the Son of God, Jesus Christ. To build this relationship, one must acknowledge Jesus, understand and follow his teachings, and strive to live by his example and guidance. Additionally, nurturing a spiritual connection by submitting our lives to his lordship is essential (John 14:1-14). Only then can God become our Lord and Master, and we can honestly call him with the respected name of God, "Adonai!"

When we surrender our lives to Jesus and acknowledge Him as our Lord, we experience freedom and fulfillment. This happens when we live under His grace and truth, as written in John 8:32. This power helps us build good relationships with God and people. As Christians, we aim to have the right relationship with God, people, and the world God has given us to look after. However, this is only the case for some Christians. Many have a relationship only with their Bible, for example, but fail to have a genuine relationship with God and others. The truth of the Bible alone cannot save anyone. The Pharisees had all the truth they needed but lacked relationships with God and others. This is known as alienation and is out of the will of God.

The essence of the spiritual life, rather than a false religious one, is to be reconciled to God and have a living relationship with him (2 Cor 5:18–19); the same goes for others or people. This echoes Jesus' command to love God with all our being and love others as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). Being in the right relationship with God and others in the Christian faith is central. It emphasizes the importance of the vertical relationship with God and the horizontal relationship with others. One of the critical factors that a person is in the proper relationship in the faith is their attitude reflects God's Spirit, specifically, kindness.

Let's commit to nurturing our relationship with God by acknowledging Jesus, following His teachings, and living by His guidance. Let's also build genuine connections with others by embodying God's spirit of kindness in our interactions. We can experience freedom, fulfillment, and meaningful relationships by centering our lives around these principles. Let our actions reflect the love and grace of God as we seek to be in the right relationship with Him and others, all because we all "Just Believe."

With love and kindness,

Pastor Drake