1 John 1:1-4

"What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld and our hands handled, concerning the Word of Life -- and the life was manifested, and we have seen and bear witness and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us -- what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, that you also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write, so that our joy may be made complete." 1 John 1:1-4 NIV

I have a friend that has had many struggles over the last few years with knowing whether or not God is real. She grew up with a father that is an athiest and heard for many, many years that God is not real. God does not exist.

When I first met her, she was at a point in her life where she had begun questioning if this was really true. She was in a bad marriage, she and her husband had many financial issues, and she was beginning to see that her youngest daughter had some serious mental and emotional issues. She was looking for someone or something that she could turn to for support. Someone to whom she could cry and shout and scream to in the most difficult of times. Someone that she could trust to be with her day in and day out -- through the good and the bad. Someone she could count on.... ALWAYS.

Since that time, we have had many conversations about God. Is He real? If He is real, why does He allow bad things to happen? How can I know that He is REALLY there for me? We have had many discussions about God. And many times, about matters that do not necessarily have easy answers. I have found that in being her friend and sharing her questions and doubts that I have grown stronger in the Lord. And, praise the Lord, she has grown also. She has since accepted the Lord as her Savior and strives to live her life for Him. Unfortunately, she still faces many difficulties in her home and family life on a daily basis. However, she now does so with God in her life. She seeks His help and His guidance. She knows He loves her and that she can pour her heart out to Him.

In looking back, I wish that early on I would have suggested she read the book of 1 John. This book is a wonderful telling of a God that is VERY REAL. In these first few verses, John tells us that God is real... and he should know, he experienced first hand the teachings of Jesus, the healing of Jesus, the love of Jesus. John was able to be in His presence while Jesus was on this Earth. Can you even imagine what that must have been like? I am just in awe when I think about it. The experience of walking with Jesus, seeing Jesus, touching Jesus.

But, wait... we are able to walk with Jesus. Maybe not in the exact same way that John did... we can't physically touch Jesus and we can't physically see Jesus. But, we can have a relationship with Him. We can fellowship with Him. And someday, we will see Jesus and we will touch Jesus when we join Him in our heavenly home.

As Christians, this is what we should desire. A relationship and a fellowship with God. We should seek Him out daily. By doing so, we will see that our God is very REAL. We will see that our God can and will fulfill our every need. We have the promise that we will see Him and touch Him in one sweet day when we join Him in heaven.