Like all worthwhile relationships there has to be effort on our part

Christianity is about a Person more than philosophy. It is about the most important relationship of all, our relationship with God, who made us.

The Lord Jesus said the first and greatest commandment was to love God. The second was to love one’s neighbour. We were created to live in relationship to God and until we find that connection there will always be something missing in our lives.

Many have a sense of something missing deep inside and it often leads to them trying to fill the gap with all sorts of things that are legitimate in themselves - sport, material wealth, business successs, hobbies, music, work.

Some try to fill the emptiness with less acceptable things - sexual promiscuity, alcohol excess, drugs and pornography. These may give an instant gratification but the hollow feeling remains. Nothing will fill the emptiness except the relationship we were made for.

The reason the New Testament gives for this emptiness is because we have turned their backs on God. The remedy is found in a Person.

When Jesus said: "I am the Bread of Life" (John 6 v35), it was because he is the only one who can satisfy our deepest hunger.

Jesus said: "I am the Door" because he is the One who can make our relationship with God possible, and for us to be restored to our Heavenly Father.

Like all worthwhile relationships there has to be effort on our part, to let someone into our lives, to then nurture and encourage it so that it produces mutual benefit.

It turns out that it is a case of not what you know, but who you know! Jesus prayed: "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (John 17 v3).

The Rev Phil Gomersall, Tottlebank Baptist Church, Near Greenodd