Facebook pals learn she's 'in a relationship' like no other

How do God and humans interact?

Some think they don't, seeing God (if one even exists) as distant and impersonal. Others view God as a cranky judge, eager to throw the book (or bolts of lightning) at every lawbreaker.

Still others consider him a cosmic, jolly (and slightly senile) grandfather who grants random wishes but has no true basis for authority in the real world.

Many Christ-followers, like myself, talk about being "in a relationship" with God. That may seem odd, even presumptuous. But one of the main ideas I get when I read the Bible is that God interacted with individuals throughout history and still wants to today.

What difference can a relationship with God make in someone's life?

Brandlyn and I share the same birthday, although I'm exactly 20 years older. Like many young women her age, she has lots of friends and loves keeping up with them on Facebook.

A while back, Brandlyn threw her Facebook friends for a loop when she changed her FB Relationship Status from "Single" to "In a Relationship." They wanted to know who she was "in a relationship" with since, as far as they knew, she wasn't dating anyone.

Brandlyn explained something that had occurred to her: Although she wasn't married or dating, she really is in a relationship with ... Jesus. She knows Him, loves Him and believes He knows and loves her.

But there's much more to this story. Brandlyn also knows what it's like not to be in a relationship with God, to ... be completely unaware of His love.

She spent 15 years in the utter hopelessness of drug and alcohol abuse. She was involved in prostitution. She was in and out of jail many times, in trouble with the law for theft, violence, drunken driving, forgery and probation violation.

Then there were the three suicide attempts, two tragic near-death experiences and seven different treatment centers. Brandlyn sums it up as a lifetime without knowing Him.

But somewhere along that downward spiral, she encountered Christians, people who believed it was possible to have a life-changing relationship with God through trust in His Son, Jesus.

They helped her get into Teen Challenge, whose faith-based centers (including those for adults) around the world are dedicated to helping people overcome life-controlling addictions through the power of Christ.

While relationships are always complex as they develop (including a relationship with God), starting them can be pretty simple.

In the Bible (Luke 18:9-14), Jesus tells about two men who prayed to God. One, a very religious Pharisee, bragged about how righteous he was.

The other, a despised tax collector (part of a group notorious for their dishonesty) couldn't even look up but pleaded, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner." It was this man, Jesus said, who was justified in God's eyes.

And to the very simple prayer of faith by the thief on the cross who was crucified next to him, Jesus responded: "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:42, 43)

You'll be with me ... sounds an awful lot like a relationship to me.

Like those men in the Bible, Brandlyn prayed a simple "sinner's prayer" that birthed her relationship with God. She was able to kick her addictive behaviors and start a new life.

In fact, today she is the executive director of the Seattle Metro Women's Teen Challenge, providing help to other women trying to escape the hell that used to be her life.

When Brandlyn says she's in a relationship with Jesus, I believe her.

Jodi Detrick serves the Northwest Ministry Network (Assemblies of God) as Women's Ministries Director. She is also a public speaker, an author and a Life Coach. Readers may send feedback to faithcolumns@seattletimes.com