Week 4 found here: https://oscraps.com/community/threads/july-art-journal-challenge-week-4-connections.42514/
A relationship with Jesus Christ should profoundly impact a believer's life, fostering transformation, providing purpose, and offering hope and peace. It should lead to a more Christ-like character, impacting thoughts, actions, and interactions with others. This relationship should also bring about a sense of belonging, security, and a desire to live a life that reflects God's love and teachings.
1. Transformation and Character Development:
- Shifting Perspective:
A relationship with Jesus changes how a person views the world, offering a God-centered perspective rather than a self-centered one.
- Growing in Virtue:
It fosters the development of Christ-like qualities such as love, compassion, forgiveness, and humility.
- Living a Purposeful Life:
This relationship provides a sense of meaning and direction, aligning one's actions with God's will and purpose.
2. Providing Hope and Peace:
- Overcoming Fear and Anxiety:
Faith in Jesus can alleviate fear and anxiety by providing a sense of security, knowing that one is loved, forgiven, and has eternal life.
- Experiencing Inner Peace:
This relationship can bring a deep sense of peace that transcends circumstances, knowing that God is in control and provides guidance.
- Facing Trials with Confidence:
Faith in Christ equips believers to face challenges and adversity with resilience and hope, knowing that God is with them.
3. Building Relationships with Others:
- Embracing Love and Compassion:
A relationship with Jesus compels believers to love and care for others, reflecting the love that Christ has shown to them.
- Seeking Reconciliation and Forgiveness:
This relationship fosters a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation, both towards others and oneself.
- Living in Community:
It encourages connection with other believers, creating a supportive environment for spiritual growth and mutual encouragement.
4. Seeking God's Presence and Guidance:
- Daily Connection:
A relationship with Jesus involves a conscious effort to connect with God through prayer, scripture reading, and worship.
- Seeking God's Will:
It cultivates a desire to understand and follow God's plan for one's life, seeking guidance and wisdom through prayer and scripture.
- Recognizing God's Presence:
It involves a heightened awareness of God's presence and work in everyday life, acknowledging His blessings and guidance.
In essence, a relationship with Jesus Christ is a transformative journey that impacts every aspect of life, from personal character to relationships with others and one's purpose in the world.