There was a man years ago that regularly attended televised sports events. He was recognizable because of his full head of frizzy hair that he would dye in a rainbow of colors. It became a regular occurrence for the television people to focus on him during the course of the game.

Along with his unusual appearance was a sign that he always flashed that read: John 3:16. The words are familiar even if the reference is not:

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

This is an amazing statement telling us that life after death is not only possible, it’s available to all who believe in the Son of God, Jesus, the historical person who rose from the dead after being executed some 2000 years ago.

The prospect of death is something that everyone has to deal with even if dealing with it means ignoring it, focusing on the here-and-now, keeping busy. But the Gospel presents an alternative to ignoring the inevitable. There’s a way out and it’s a good way that has been provided at great cost: the death of the Son of God.

But is that all there is to it? Is the sum total of the “Good News” the prospect of eternal life for those who believe? Unfortunately for many that is the case. Don’t get me wrong it is a great truth, a truth that we can count on, a truth that takes the “sting” out of death. But there is so much more to consider, and I’m not talking about spreading this news to others, as important as that is. Some of our most prominent figures in the history of American Christianity are the evangelists who’ve spent their entire lives in the effort to spread the word that the human predicament of death has been dealt with on the cross.

However, there is a so much more that’s been made available for those who believe. To stop with that great truth is like going to a luxury hotel and never getting past the front desk. You made it into the building, but if you don’t go any farther you’ll miss out on all that the hotel has to offer: luxurious rooms with a view, the cuisine offered in the rooftop restaurant, the sauna and swimming pool.

It’s like that with the Gospel. God hasn’t just saved us from destruction; He’s opened up an opportunity for us to know Him, to speak to Him, to learn from Him. We’re not just part of a hoard of people who believe in Jesus, we’ve been called to enter into a relationship with Him, each of us individually; He knows us by name. And that relationship is defined in the terms of a family. Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans that:

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ…

How does that work for us in our daily lives? If we’re serious about our faith then we’re part of a Church that we attend regularly. A good church with good teaching is encouraging us to read the bible and to pray regularly. But what do those disciplines do for us? What do we expect from them? Are we just looking to counteract what we’re being told on the web or the TV? Are we trying to reprogram out minds with better information?

Paul’s declaration points to something much more profound. We’ve been called into a relationship with God. As children of God we can know intimacy with the Lord through the Holy Spirit. Conversation is available. Intimacy is suggested.

The question is: are we willing to seek such a relationship? In this country we’re prompted to seek our own good fortunes, either as an individual or in concert with other like-minded people. The idea of submitting to someone else can only be tolerated if it contributes to our own personal goals. But intimacy with God would seem to involve the Lord telling us what to do, and always getting His way. After all, God is the Lord and He knows best, so how much can we expect to influence Him?

Quite a lot actually; He isn’t really interested in dictating every aspect of our lives. That kind of thinking is the product of not knowing Him for who He really is. The Lord isn’t a tyrant. From the very beginning of creation God presented Himself as one who sought to have a relationship with those He created. He made us capable of having such a relationship in the way that He made us in His image. He got Adam involved in the process of creation allowing him to name the creatures that He made. There was a dialog that was engaged from the very beginning and continued even when things went awry.

As repentant sinners who’ve accepted and embraced the opportunity to reconcile with God through the cross, we can expect to resume such intimacy with the Him. The Lord isn’t holding our sin against us. In fact He’s calling us to resume the intimate relationship that was marred due to sin. A relationship that allows us to participate in what God is doing. And it isn’t just a matter of doing what we’re told; we get to be involved in the progress of our lives. God wants us to be involved. He lets us have input as we follow His lead and seek His counsel.

What is the nature of such a prospect? I’m here to say that it’s nothing short of spectacular which is why I gave this post the title that I did. We’re dealing with the God of the universe whose capacities and agenda have no comparison. And He’s willing to work with us, taking into account our capacities, utilizing them for the purpose of extending His agenda in ways that fulfill His purposes while allowing us to experience a life full of meaning and significance.

This sort of relationship is displayed in the Lord’s dealings with Moses. God didn’t just tell Moses what to do, He interacted with him, engaging him in dialogue, responding to what Moses had to say and, at times, altering the agenda based on Moses’ concerns. An example of this is presented when Moses expressed self-doubt concerning his ability to speak well. Instead of just telling Moses what to do the Lord responded by appointing Aaron to act as the spokesman before Pharaoh. He wasn’t too happy with Moses but He responded to his concerns nonetheless. (See Exodus 4:10f)

It can be like that for all of us. We can learn how to communicate with God in a way that allows for interaction: learning how to speak to the Lord, and learning how to listen to Him when He speaks to us. And fostering such a relationship with God will be nothing short of a life-changing event. It truly is an adventure. We’re dealing with the one who superintends all that exists while, at the same time, encouraging His followers to participate with Him in the furthering of His agenda.

But we’ve got to want it. And we’ve got to learn how to follow His leading, recognizing the difference between His agenda and our own in order to make progress in our Christian walk.

How that happens and what we can expect as we move forward is something that needs to be considered carefully.