There was a time not long ago when, if you had asked me, I would have said yes, I was very close to God and knew Him very well. I set aside time every day to pray and read His Word; I was deeply involved in ministry at my church; I took His commands seriously, and told others about Him whenever I could. But looking back now, I realize that I knew Him as a child knows her father - I knew He was the source of my life's blessings, security, and rules; but I knew little about what He is like as a Person and a Spirit.
And that was enough, for then. But it's not enough now. As I finally begin to grow into adulthood, I find that this kind of a relationship doesn't satisfy me anymore. I must have an adult relationship with my Lord. I must know Him, not what He does or what He wants from me - I know those things already. I must seek His face, not His hand, and know Him for Who He is.
For the first time in a long while today, I spent a couple of hours just sitting with the Lord, listening quietly to the Bible on audio tape and thinking about the words. I was seeking guidance on my big grad school decision that I have to make; but I came away from the time this afternoon with something much bigger and more important on my mind than just grad school. I rediscovered my burning hunger to know, not just more about God, but to know God Himself.
Who is this Creator Who spoke a few little words and spun this whole universe into being, including my own self? Who is this Master Who controls the days, the tides, the winds, the sun? Who is this Teacher Who takes time to tenderly raise up and instruct every one of His millions of adopted children? Who is this Judge Who stepped down from the majesty of His throne to take the place of the ragged, condemned rebels that He loves?
I know what others say about Him. I know that He saves, because I have turned to Him and received His salvation from my sins. But now, I want to know Him as my Friend, my Brother, my Counselor, my Life.
Lord Jesus, hear and honor my request. I will do anything it takes to know You in this way!
Love,
Vicki
And this is a post I had bookmarked to comment on...but somehow every time I had a break from school I just couldn't think of what to say. It's such a huge thing.
ReplyDeleteTo know God.
To think that He made us, in His image, to glorify Himself...simply by allowing us to know Him. It's almost incomprehensible. That the whole story of human history is the Creator of the Universes making it possible for us to know Him...and to realize how easily thrown away the chance to know Him is! *shudder* It's so easy to be distracted, to completely fill our lives with other things, when abiding in Him is the only thing needful! gahhhh...