Psychologist Dr. Henry Cloud said: “From birth to death, each person is like a mobile device always in the mode of ‘searching for a connection.’ This search is not optional for any of us. It’s part of us, it’s always on, even when we don’t realize it, even when we don’t want it.”

We were created for relationships and we find fulfilment in relationships.

If so, it might not be religion that we want. Perhaps what we really want is connection with Someone who is infinitely greater than ourselves, who could guide us in this life. Ideally, we want a God who cares about us and who is powerful and loves enough to help us.

Many of the world's religions fail in this regard. Many offer requirements and doctrines, but offer nothing in return.

In Hinduism a person is on their own trying to gain release from karma. In New Age a person is working at their own divinity. In Buddhism it is an individual quest at being free from desire. And in Islam, the individual follows strict religious laws for the sake of paradise after death.

Our weakness, aloneness is often amplified by messages of “do better” and “try harder.”

What if there is a strong, capable God whom we can go to and know we will be helped in this life? Now. Not just in eternity. But now?

The God who created us all can be, wants to be known by us in this life. He is a loving God who welcomes us into relationship with himself.

Watch a short clip that shows in a few minutes the beauty of this relationship with God:
 
Jesus Christ invites us, “Come to me… he who comes to me will never thirst. Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” “He who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Jesus lived a perfect life displaying both power and compassion, welcoming the sick, the suffering, healing all who came to him. Jesus wasn’t seeking to set up a religion, but to offer us connection, a relationship with the God who created everything.

Religion leaves us wanting. It often moves us to focus on ourselves, giving us religious practices to try to become holy, to cover our sin. Yet who reaches perfection? The Buddha never claimed sinlessness. And Muhammed also acknowledged that he needed forgiveness. "No matter how wise, no matter how gifted, no matter how influential other prophets, gurus or spiritual teachers may be, they still had the presence of mind to acknowledge that they are as imperfect as the rest of us."

In contrast, Jesus Christ said, “I always do the things that are pleasing to him (referring to God his Father).” In fact, Jesus, the Son of God, said he had the power to forgive sin.

Forgiveness requires personally accepting the consequences of the other person’s actions. It’s painful. It’s costly. Jesus paid the consequences of our sin.

Jesus took all of our sin and died by crucifixion on a cross, dying in our place so that our sins could be forgiven. The Bible says, "We have known his love, because he laid down his life for us." Jesus then physically rose from the dead, three days after his burial, just as he said he would.

He now offers us his total forgiveness. That is, forgiveness for all our past, present, and future sins. Jesus paid for every sin.

God, the Creator of the universe, loves us and wants to have a personal relationship with us. "God's love for us was shown by the fact that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him."

Would you like to be completely forgiven? Would you like to come to feel God's love personally? It will not mean that your life becomes problem-free. Life is challenging. But it means God will be with you in it.

You can start a relationship with God right now. All you have to do is sincerely ask Him to forgive your sins and come into your life. Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.” Would you like to have a relationship with the God who created you and loves you deeply?

If so, you can do it right now.

You can pray like this: “Lord God, please forgive me and I invite you to come into my heart right now. Thank you, Jesus Christ, for dying for my sins. Thank you for coming into my life as you promised. ” The Bible tells us, "To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

If you have asked God from your heart to come into your life, it means that from this moment you have entered into a relationship with him.

You can talk to Him and He will guide you in life. He is not just showing you a path to follow, a philosophy of life or a religion. He himself loves you. Jesus said, “I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” For help knowing God better and growing in your relationship with him, please click the link below.