Are You In A Revelationship?

To build a deep, meaningful connection with God—a "revelationship" as Cathy Garland calls it—requires understanding that God belongs at the center of our lives rather than merely at the top of a priority list. This subtle yet profound distinction transforms how we navigate our faith journey, especially during life's chaotic seasons.

When we think of God as the top priority in a numbered list, we often feel guilty for not giving Him enough time. This becomes particularly challenging for parents juggling multiple responsibilities. However, Cathy shares a beautiful framework: place God at the center, with all life roles radiating outward like spokes on a wheel. Certain spokes bear more pressure as we roll through different seasons, but the center—God—remains constant. This imagery liberates us from the unbiblical concept of "balance" and embraces the reality of seasons.

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WHAT IS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE?

• Many Christians experience powerful encounters with God at special events like camps or conferences, but struggle to maintain that connection in everyday life. Kathy describes this as "like a lamp walking around with a plug trying to plug in," with the solution being "absolute surrender" to God. This surrender creates a framework for exploring and experiencing God more deeply.
• One transformative approach Kathy shares for Bible reading is to look specifically for how God reveals Himself through Scripture. Rather than dreading the repetitive reading of familiar passages, she began searching for revelations about God's character—"I am the God who sees you," "I am the God who rescues you," and similar declarations. This perspective made even the most challenging Old Testament passages come alive with fresh meaning.

• Encountering God in nature represents another powerful pathway that many Christians hesitate to embrace, often fearing associations with paganism or new age practices. However, Cathy reminds us that creation was where God first spoke to humanity, and scripture affirms that "creation declares loudly who God is." For those constantly surrounded by noise—from media, technology, and endless obligations—stepping into nature's quietness creates space to hear God's voice.
• Perhaps most challenging is learning to encounter God through suffering. Cathy acknowledges that "the church has failed to teach us how to suffer well and to glorify God through suffering." She offers a beautiful metaphor: plant seeds of scripture in your "garden" during good times, so you have something to harvest when suffering comes. We build confidence for facing more significant challenges by incrementally proving God's faithfulness in smaller trials. This progressive growth in trust prepares us for whatever may come, including persecution.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Proper heart posture transforms how we face difficulties and can impact those around us. Cathy shares a powerful story from Voice of the Martyrs. A pastor's heavenly vision during a terrorist attack changed "the entire atmosphere" from fear to readiness, ultimately leading to everyone's safety. This example illustrates how a revelation of God can completely alter our perspective and response to threatening circumstances.

Developing a revelationship with God requires making space in our overcrowded lives. Whether through traditional practices like Lent (giving up something to create room for connection) or intentional moments of quiet reflection, we must create opportunities to encounter God. We develop a connection that sustains us through every season of life by positioning Him at our center and approaching scripture, nature, and even suffering as pathways to know Him more deeply.