You will notice on my blog that I talk a lot about knowing the Lord. That's because it truly makes a difference in our lives. When you stop and think about God, what comes to mind? Is He a big mysterious mist somewhere up in the clouds? Do you imagine someone in a long white robe and a staff with a beard as long as Dumbledore's? Or maybe nothing at all. When you sing praises to Him in church or at home, does anything come into the theater of your mind from your day that you experienced with God? This may be difficult to imagine if you don't know Him.
I used to imagine what college would be like. I would have my own place, my friends would always be over and we would always be hosting some event and having a good time. This was my vision of college based off what I heard and saw on TV. College looked fun! Although I had lots of fun in college, there was one little detail I missed out on in my fantasy: class. The point of going to college is to get higher education. But with the freedom that comes along with living on a campus with all your friends and having no parental guidance around at all, that last thing I was thinking about was class. When I finally became a college student, I was embraced by the many facets of that new environment. As I reflect on my college days now, fun times come to mind. But those times are coupled with walking across campus at seven in the evening to take a chemistry test, staying up all night in my room studying for finals and sitting in a 300-person class finding it hard to concentrate. I have a more realistic view of college because I experienced it. Have we experienced Jesus?
When we think about Jesus, do we only know what we've been told? Do we only know what Bible scholars and pastors say about Him? If so, we are going to have a one-sided view of Jesus. Pastor Smith may only talk about God's mercy. Elder Jean only talks about God's justice. And the Bible scholar at the local university heavily preaches prophecy and the last days. But is that all there is to our Heavenly Father, Creator of all living things? Can't be. We will only know Him on a personal level when we go out and experience Him ourselves.
How do we experience a God whom we can't see and can't hear? Although this sounds like a challenging question, I believe God has made it easy for us. 1 John 4.8 tells us "He who does not love does not know God, for God is love." In any circumstance of love, God is there. Exodus 20.8 says "For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it." God is the creator of all things. Where there is creation, there is God. The Lord also commanded us to rest. Where there are times of rest and peace, there is God. Psalm 23.4 exclaims "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Where there is darkness and fear, God shines through with light and protection. And one of the most famous verses in the Bible, John 3.16 says "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Where there is love for mankind, so much to the point of sacrifice, there is God. The Lord is literally all around us. Every step we take in our daily lives, there is some manifestation of God through what we see, touch, smell, hear and taste. We experience His love, peace, mercy, protection and creation all the time. With this, you have an opportunity to talk to the Lord all day. Not only can we talk to God all day, we can praise Him non-stop; I praise God for a peaceful sleep; I praise God for waking me up in the morning; I praise God for giving me working limbs that I may wash myself; I praise God for giving me money to catch the train; I praise God for getting me to work safely; I praise God for giving me a job; I praise God for guiding me through the work day and so on and so on and so on.
When we think about the Lord, let's not just limit ourselves to what we've been taught. Let's embrace Him daily in the many ways He expresses Himself to us. Then, when it is time for us to come to Him in prayer, we can imagine Him so much greater from our time with Him throughout the day. Even in times of struggle, we will see God and His working hand on our lives. See God daily throughout your day and embrace Him in all that He allows you to experience with Him.
Blessings
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