My pastor said something that caught me off guard on Sunday. It was the first Sunday of Advent, and he was covering the usual bases about preparing to meet Jesus, because that’s what Advent means: Jesus is coming. He said that the best way to prepare to meet Jesus is to make sure you are nurturing your faith so that it is growing.

And then he said the thing that caught me off guard. He said that “a growing faith is a growing awareness of God in your life.”

I sat back in my pew for a minute. I had never heard the concept of faith put quite that way. That word, “awareness,” well, to be honest, it sounded pretty New Age-y and borderline woo-woo for my conservative Protestant ears. But it sure got me thinking about what it means to be “aware” of God.

I’m aware that he exists. I see evidence of a higher power all around me, in the beautiful order of nature, in the power of the hurricane, the beauty of a sunset, the miracle of new life. But I’m also aware of God because of the fear in my heart that wonders about all the wrong I’ve done. I’ve become aware of God through his Word, which describes him as not only powerful, but just and perfect.

And then I’ve learned that God isn’t just this all-powerful, demanding being. The Bible speaks of God as love. In a story almost too good to be true, the Bible describes in detail that Jesus came to die for me, that he took away all my sins. Because of what he did, the Bible says that heaven is mine.

My awareness of God has grown the more I learn about Him. Throughout my life, parents and friends and pastors have guided me deeper into his Word. They have used the Word to show me that Jesus listens to me, that the Holy Spirit guides my life, that the Father works out all things for my best, no matter what that best may be.

The more I read about God, the more aware I am of him in my life. As I’m reminded of God’s love, I see God not just as Almighty or Judge or Father or Savior, but as Friend, the one who’s always with me, walking right next to me, living in my heart.

The more and more aware I am of Jesus, the more and more real he becomes. And that’s faith, right? Not just being aware that God exists or judges right and wrong or listens, but that he loves and that he is present, that I have a real, tangible relationship with Him…Immanuel…the Word made Flesh. I am certain of his presence, I am aware of what is just beyond my sight.

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

When I see Jesus for the first time with my own eyes, I want to recognize him. I know that I will, because I believe in him. But when he comes again, will that first glance be complete shock or will it simply be picking up the conversation we had the night before, as old, familiar friends?

“Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”