It was that last part that struck me as wisdom. She felt like she knew her competitor's family because of what and how much she had been told, but the reality is that she didn't know them, not personally and not well enough to see past the flaws, errors and personal bias of the person doing the describing. We may get close with describing and sharing about one person to another, but no matter how well or accurate a job we do talking about someone our description can never take the place of knowing that person personally. We can never truly know a person just from hearing about them, no matter how intimate and true the stories are.
This is true of God as well as with people. We can't love God based on what we've heard. We can't even love God based solely on what we read about Him in the Bible or anywhere else. We can't love God based on the relationship we see others have with Him. And we can't build a relationship that helps us, gives us a foundation for life that can't be shaken, or gives us the peace and joy and love and contentment and freedom that we seek and so desperately need.
Don't get me wrong, those things help. We need an introduction. We need to get to know first that we'd like to meet and have a relationship with our Creator. Hearing about Him and seeing the effects of relationship with Him in the lives of others is a good way to start. It can also encourage us to continue pursuing that relationship and putting that relationship first. But it mustn't stop there. Even reading scripture is not enough. God does speak to us through His word and reading it is as important as my reading the messages my wife sends me. They are a part of the communication. But it also can't end there. Those things are fine and enough if you want to appear spiritual, if all you're looking for is religion. But if that's as far as you go, don't get confused and think that you know God.
If you want to find healing and freedom and restoration and power to change and a life worth living, even religion will eventually fall short. The power we need doesn't come from religion or knowing about God, not even knowing a lot about God. It comes from knowing God. There's a difference. He gives His power and grace to those with whom He has a relationship. We can't go by what others say and think we know Him. We must seek Him and get to know Him personally, and just like with any relationship, that comes with spending time with Him.
Step 11 says that we sought to improve our conscious contact with God through prayer and meditation. And that's what takes us from knowing about God to the place where we begin to know Him personally. We talk to Him, we get quiet and listen and feel for Him, and sometimes we even just chill and become aware that we're sharing the moment with Him, even if neither of us is speaking at the moment.
It's good to have a regular time of prayer and meditation. Scheduled times to communicate and spend time together can be a blessing in any relationship. But even that is just a starting point. I would hate it if Leah talked with me for exactly 5 minutes before work and then didn't think of me again all day until time for bed, where, with one eye on the clock she gave me another five minutes of her time. Those ten minutes could be precious though if they were just part of it, if I continued to get the random texts reminding me that she was thinking of me, missed me, and loved me. If she still thought to share with me when she saw something that moved or effected her and we spoke at other times throughout the day.
No matter what it may feel like, we are not going through our days alone. He is with us. We can't rely on Him if we don't trust Him, and we can't love and trust Him if we don't know Him. That takes time, time spent seeking Him, talking to Him, shooting up a word of gratitude or even a hey God, are you there? I'm thinking about you again. I want to know you more. The more personally we get to know Him, the less we can be discouraged, disappointed or even hurt when someone else's description turns out to be a little off or their relationship wasn't what it should be. Our relationship survives because it isn't relying on descriptions or what others do or don't do. It's just about us, us and God.
I know Jesus, not as well as I'd like and not as well as I should, but He's way more than just someone I've heard and read a lot about. He's my friend. And He will get as close to me as I will allow and as close as I will seek to get to Him. That's true for you as well. He's no respecter of persons, and I assure you that He loves, and even likes you, as much as He does me or anyone else. He just wants you to know who He is, personally and not by reputation.
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