Every week we counsel and mentor Christians who are often either in crisis or deep disappointment. The question comes, “What should I do?” Of course, we advise and we pray, offering these things in faith that they will help. But the best and simplest answer would always be, Go home and get a life with God!

Not a very satisfying answer for people in crisis who want a fix NOW. But I’ve been dying to say it. There, I feel better now.

While God is ever full of desire and capacity to comfort and heal his children, often they are unable to perceive and enjoy it, because they have not built a life with Him, that familiar history of knowing his voice, his character and his personal guidance through the Holy Spirit. It’s a lifestyle, not an emergency pit stop.

Hebrews 8:11 assures you that no matter who you are or what you’ve done, through Jesus Christ you have entrance, you have permission, you have invitation, no holds barred, to fellowship with the Father and with the Son:

No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.

Hebrews 8:11 (NIV)

We all stand equal in this amazing grace! However, we do not all equally pursue the life offered.

The impetus for our ministry — what gives us passion — is that we have been through numerous crises, of common nature, including one that all but destroyed our marriage in 1985. God brought us through each crisis with renewed life, not because we learned some formula, but because we have, individually and together, built a life with God.

Please, please, whatever else you resolve to do this year, let the number one item on your list be, Get A Life With Christ.

Get to know Him, spend time with him by faith that he is very present with you.

Read His Word in every part, and learn to hear his voice in the little moments of your day.

Quit making excuses, quit shrinking back in shame or fear, and quit telling yourself it’s too hard. Phooey! and Bah Humbug! on all that! Just walk past every doubt, go get a cup of coffee, and chat with God.

Get a life, dear Christian, get a life!