Do you know Him? I wanna know. Do you know Him?
I heard this song as a child growing up. I didn't understand the significance of the question then, but now I have a much better understanding. These are questions that people who call themselves followers of God should be asking themselves. Do I really know Him? I'm not speaking of an intellectual knowledge here. Yes, I know there is a sovereign creator of the universe who is omnipresent, omnipotent, all wise, perfect, holy, righteous... The question is: Do you know Him? I don't want to know what you know about Him. I don't want to know what you've read about Him or heard about Him. I don't want to have a theological discussion about his invisible qualities. What I really want to know is: Do you have an intimate relationship with the King of the Universe?
Do you know Him?
I love being a momma. I've been blessed with 4 children that I know very intimately. From the moment they were conceived, they've been near me. I've cared for almost every need. I heard just about every cry. I've celebrated the joys, and tried to kiss away their pain. I've watched them discover the world around them, and I've answered their questions, questions, questions. I know these children. I have intimately experienced their weaknesses and strengths. I've listened to their dreams. And we've simply spent time together simply enjoying life--looking at the clouds, laughing at something funny their dad has said, or ballroom dancing in the kitchen. I've taught them most of what they know. From the word "mama", to how to read, to the first law of thermodynamics, to the word of God. I know these kids, and they know me. It's taken time. It's taken commitment. It's taken love. It's taken perseverance. It's hard work! Intimacy doesn't come to the faint of heart. It doesn't come for free. We've had to walk through disappointment, discouragement, struggles, pain and lots and lots and lots of tears.
And I'll be honest, pain makes you want to close off your heart to others. You want to protect yourself from the pain. But when you protect your heart from pain, you also keep yourself from receiving love.
So what does any of this have to do with knowing Him? Well, everything--mostly. Have you taken time to know God's heart? Have you listened to His dreams, His vision, His purpose for you and all of mankind? Have you spent time with Him enjoying life--taking in this world He's made, laughing at His jokes (He made jokes, you know), or simply dancing with Him? Have you let Him teach you? He knows everything there is to know, and He says that He gives wisdom freely to those who ask. He's been near you from the moment you were conceived, and even planned every one of your days before you existed. He's heard your every cry and met your every need. He knows you--through and through, and He loves you--completely.
Do you know Him?
So you've chattered away, telling Him every thing you want. Telling Him what you want Him to do. Sometimes, telling Him what you think He wants you to say. You know. (clearing throat here) Noble prayers. Godly prayers. Beautiful prayers. Have you stopped your soliloquy long enough to listen to Him? It's hard to know someone you've never listened to. Listen. That means you may have to endure some silence. It'll feel awkward at first. You may not even be able to silence your own thoughts. You'll want to give up, but if you will persevere , you will be rewarded with a faint whisper.And as you continue to listen intently, that faint whisper will become louder and louder until you begin to hear a beautiful symphony. It's been playing since the beginning of time--and even before that.
The more you know Him, the more you'll know yourself. You'll discover treasures that He's placed inside of you. You'll discover that you've been given everything that you need to live life victoriously, purposefully, productively, and joyfully. You'll discover that you don't have to be held down by chains of fear, depression, past failures, guilt, shame or anything else. You've been given a tremendous gift. It's there. Actually, I should say, He's there. The gift is the Holy Spirit. (Of course you have this gift only if you've accepted the love of Jesus Christ.) It is through the Holy Spirit that we can know Him. And it is by knowing Him that we are able to be more like Him.
Do you know Him?
I pray that God would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Amen.
Ephesians1:17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
I heard this song as a child growing up. I didn't understand the significance of the question then, but now I have a much better understanding. These are questions that people who call themselves followers of God should be asking themselves. Do I really know Him? I'm not speaking of an intellectual knowledge here. Yes, I know there is a sovereign creator of the universe who is omnipresent, omnipotent, all wise, perfect, holy, righteous... The question is: Do you know Him? I don't want to know what you know about Him. I don't want to know what you've read about Him or heard about Him. I don't want to have a theological discussion about his invisible qualities. What I really want to know is: Do you have an intimate relationship with the King of the Universe?
Do you know Him?
I love being a momma. I've been blessed with 4 children that I know very intimately. From the moment they were conceived, they've been near me. I've cared for almost every need. I heard just about every cry. I've celebrated the joys, and tried to kiss away their pain. I've watched them discover the world around them, and I've answered their questions, questions, questions. I know these children. I have intimately experienced their weaknesses and strengths. I've listened to their dreams. And we've simply spent time together simply enjoying life--looking at the clouds, laughing at something funny their dad has said, or ballroom dancing in the kitchen. I've taught them most of what they know. From the word "mama", to how to read, to the first law of thermodynamics, to the word of God. I know these kids, and they know me. It's taken time. It's taken commitment. It's taken love. It's taken perseverance. It's hard work! Intimacy doesn't come to the faint of heart. It doesn't come for free. We've had to walk through disappointment, discouragement, struggles, pain and lots and lots and lots of tears.
And I'll be honest, pain makes you want to close off your heart to others. You want to protect yourself from the pain. But when you protect your heart from pain, you also keep yourself from receiving love.
So what does any of this have to do with knowing Him? Well, everything--mostly. Have you taken time to know God's heart? Have you listened to His dreams, His vision, His purpose for you and all of mankind? Have you spent time with Him enjoying life--taking in this world He's made, laughing at His jokes (He made jokes, you know), or simply dancing with Him? Have you let Him teach you? He knows everything there is to know, and He says that He gives wisdom freely to those who ask. He's been near you from the moment you were conceived, and even planned every one of your days before you existed. He's heard your every cry and met your every need. He knows you--through and through, and He loves you--completely.
Do you know Him?
So you've chattered away, telling Him every thing you want. Telling Him what you want Him to do. Sometimes, telling Him what you think He wants you to say. You know. (clearing throat here) Noble prayers. Godly prayers. Beautiful prayers. Have you stopped your soliloquy long enough to listen to Him? It's hard to know someone you've never listened to. Listen. That means you may have to endure some silence. It'll feel awkward at first. You may not even be able to silence your own thoughts. You'll want to give up, but if you will persevere , you will be rewarded with a faint whisper.And as you continue to listen intently, that faint whisper will become louder and louder until you begin to hear a beautiful symphony. It's been playing since the beginning of time--and even before that.
The more you know Him, the more you'll know yourself. You'll discover treasures that He's placed inside of you. You'll discover that you've been given everything that you need to live life victoriously, purposefully, productively, and joyfully. You'll discover that you don't have to be held down by chains of fear, depression, past failures, guilt, shame or anything else. You've been given a tremendous gift. It's there. Actually, I should say, He's there. The gift is the Holy Spirit. (Of course you have this gift only if you've accepted the love of Jesus Christ.) It is through the Holy Spirit that we can know Him. And it is by knowing Him that we are able to be more like Him.
Do you know Him?
I pray that God would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Amen.
Ephesians1:17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
COL 1:9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. [10] And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
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