Knowing Him

God Almighty, the Eternal One, invites us to know Him.

Imagine reading about Teddy Roosevelt in a history book. It’s not a bad way to spend an afternoon; he was an interesting guy.

Now imagine (if it were possible) spending a Saturday with him.

Very different! The keen wit. The passion. The intelligence. The vivid personality. How would he see things? What would he do? What would make him laugh? What would grieve him? Before you know it, the day is over and he’s gone, and you find yourself wishing for more. In the same way, too many times we settle for knowing “about” God, when He invites us to know Him.

Reading a Christian book makes us think. Great sermons inspire us. There’s nothing wrong with that, but don’t stop there! Don’t hide from the Presence of God behind a wall of good theology. The New Testament assures us that, because of what Jesus has done, God lives with us and in us, and He’ll never leave us. The Eternal One, the Majesty of the Heavens who spoke the stars into existence, invites us to keep company with Him. You can turn to Him at any moment in your day and ask what He thinks. He’ll tell you! Or turn on some quiet worship music and spend time “soaking” in His presence.

Then a funny thing starts to happen. When we really spend time with someone, we begin to see things from their perspective and think like they do. We laugh at the same jokes. We do the same kinds of things. In the same way, when we spend time in the presence of God, we begin to take on His nature, often without being aware of it.

Like many well-loved adopted children, we begin looking like our Father.

(Hebrews 13:5, NIV, John 14:15-18; 1 Corinthians 3:16, MSG; 2 Cor 3:18)