"Hey remember Zac? He's gonna start coming back to church next Sunday." My friend says. I reply with, "Oh, I know of him, but I don't actually know him." I made this same statement a while back when I was (and still am quite frankly) obsessed with learning about historical figures. For example, I'm learning a lot about Hitler and what turned him into the person he became. During my research, people not much younger than me surprisingly told me they had no idea who Hitler was, guessing he was some sort of rap artist. No joke, I had to legit give them an entire lesson on Hitler's rise to power, World War Two, and The Holocaust. Others were more knowledgeable about the subject, but they knew as little as I did when I first started, and knowing all of the details makes things more interesting and easier to understand. I told myself. “People say they know him. What they mean, is they know of him, but they don't actually know him.”
Then it hit me; I knew more about a dude who turned out to be a big douche than I did about God.
Once I made this revelation, I realized things had to change. God put those interests in me to want to learn about history and explore in-depth the moments that shaped us, but the desire for this knowledge was never meant to become an idol. One family in our church hosts a weekly Bible study on Thursdays for young adults, and since the study's progression I've been more interested in reading the word of God. Slowly, I'm learning and understanding more about God's power and love than I ever did. Learning about God's personality is also extremely entertaining; I couldn't stop laughing when He threw shade at Israel in Amos 4:4-5 “Go to Bethel and sin; go to Gilgal and sin yet more. Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three years. Burn leavened bread as a thank offering and brag about your freewill offerings- boast about them, you Israelites, for this is what you love to do,” declares the Sovereign Lord.
….Burn.
As this journey continues, I look forward to even deeper study and prayer time with my heavenly Father. Through worship, prayer, and reading His word, I'm becoming obsessed with God.
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Very well said, Brenda. Getting to know God is a journey within itself. Just when we think we got a spiritual grip on things, we then realize, we have so much more to learn and grow through.
Good to know you have an earnest desire to grow in God's grace and love, Alisha. Continue to study to show yourself approved. A workman who is not ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. That's for this transparent read, my lady.
Keep shining for Jesus!
A Bible covered in dust with the words "Read Me!" certainly drew me in. Ashamedly I admit that I do know of Him but have questioned myself if I really know Him. Why? Why, when we were provided with a road map to life when Moses received the ten commandments. Just as we must talk and interact with new acquaintances to get to know them, we must also get to know our Lord through conversation, Prayer is that conversation that creates a close tie and brings understanding. Nothing and no one can prevent these talks. Matthew 6:5-16 tells it so well. Worship and study the Lord to know more about him. The more we interact with him and …