Here's a letter we received, hello Pastor John, my name is Mara, and I am only a kid,

but I know my faith matters even at my age.

I know that I have a relationship with God and that I can talk to Him or rely on Him,

but sometimes it's hard to tell.

What I'm really asking is, is there some way for me to know how good of a relationship

I have with God.

I haven't had any really hard times that make me question my faith.

I know my time will come when that will happen, but is there a way for me to know right now

if I'm on the right track?

Thank you Pastor John.

Mara, you have a very, very good question, and it isn't any different for an adult by

the way.

Your question for a child is the same question lots of adults have, including me from time

to time.

Is there some way for me and you to know how good our relationship with God is?

And the reason it's a good question is that the Bible itself asks the question.

Second Corinthians 13, 5, examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith, test

yourselves, or do you not realize this about yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you,

unless indeed you fail to meet the test.

So you're absolutely right to raise the question, are there tests, is there a way that I

can think that would help me know if my relationship with God is a good one?

So here's the things that I want to point you to.

...