Getting to Know God

Getting to Know God

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“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world,” 1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬-‭16‬, ‭NIV‬‬.

And yet God is love. God loves mankind with an unparalleled love. How can we desire our own pleasure when true love has been offered?

I remember as a teenager hearing for the first time that God wanted a relationship with me. This knowledge astounded me. The Creator God wanted to know me. Or more accurately, I was given the opportunity to know Him, for He actually already knew me, I was just unaware.

Getting to know God was a gift and a challenge.

The challenge came when I learned that there were things I could and could not do that went beyond my house rules. Someone explained to me that since God created the world and everything in it, there are certain laws and rules that govern His kingdom. That made sense. What didn’t make sense was the fact that I had broken those laws. I was a pretty good kid.

Yet, I wanted to be popular, like most high school girls, so I talked “cool.” Talking “cool” meant talking unwholesomely. I learned that there was a verse in the Bible that told me not to do that.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen,” Ephesians 4:29, NIV.

I also did not honor my parents. I didn’t think that was important. My father had just left my mother, a divorce was happening during my high school years, so why would I honor my dad?

“Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise—“Ephesians 6:2, NIV.

I learned when someone does not honor their parents this also is breaking God’s law.

God’s laws are based on love. His type of love is to love yourself last, not first. Since I love me and my way first, I had broken His law.

Developing a relationship with Him was impossible until I recognized my problems. I needed to tell God I was sorry for wanting my way over His. And He forgave me.

How could the Creator God forgive me? Was it that easy?

I found out later that Jesus was the one I needed to be grateful to. He was the one who actually saw that I had done wrong, and since all wrongs done against God, need to be punished; Jesus agreed to be the one punished for all my wrongs. And not just my wrong doings, but everyone’s wrong doings.

Someone told me that if I read the Bible, I could see the wrongs I have committed, and good things I could do. I could also read about Jesus, and His sacrifice.

In fact, I learned that reading the Bible was an excellent way of getting to know God.

As I read, I learned that God loved me. This was one of the many gifts God offers. I am now considered to be part of His family, and that though my earthly father disappointed me, He would not.

And He hasn’t these last 48 years.

It’s not always easy. I still want my way over His at times, but another of God’s gifts to His children is His Spirit. It’s His Spirit that lives within all of His children. His Holy Spirit helps me to do what is right and warns me when I’m close to doing wrong.

Yet, there are still times I want to do my own thing, and I unfortunately do them. Yet, God still loves me and forgives me when I seek Him and ask for forgiveness every time.

The majority of the time doing the things God asks me to do is a delight. I am able to serve and obey God, and it has become my way to love Him in return. To obey is my way of saying “Thank You Jesus for Your sacrifice.”

God’s gift of relationship is offered not just to me, but for everyone who desires it.

How about you, have you received God's gift of love? Do you desire to know God?

(Feel free to comment. I love reading your thoughts).

Father,

You are a good God and have been for my whole life. Obeying You is not always easy, but it’s always rewarding. You are perfect and complete, but You desire to have a relationship with us who are imperfect. Thank You.

Help me to serve You today. Help me to always seek Your way over my own.

Help us to be children You are proud of.

Amen.