PRACTICING GOD'S PRESENCE!
"Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (John 17:3).
I recently gave a hitting lesson to an eleven-year-old softball player. Since I had not worked with her for several months, I thought it would be good to review the fundamentals of hitting, focusing on balance. So, I spent approximately 30 minutes instructing her through drills which enforced what I believe to be the three keys to swinging with balance: small or no step, "squish the bug," and keep the weight back. My intention or goal was not just to pass on information, but to give her knowledge that she could understand and apply in order for her to experience success and enjoy the game of softball.
In a similar way, God desires for us to KNOW Him and His ways. He does not want us to only gain a knowledge (ginosko) of Him from hearing what others say, reading books about God, or even hearing, reading, studying, and memorizing the Word of God. That’s religion. Instead, God desires for us to understand and apply this objective knowledge to our daily lives so that we can know (oida) Him through experience (John 17:3). He wants us to experience success (as God views success) and enjoy Life Himself. That’s relationship.
Unfortunately, many of us seem content with possessing head knowledge and don’t progress to the heart knowledge--that which God intended. We often have all the "right" answers, but are we really experiencing the abundant life that Jesus came to give us (John 10:10)? Can you imagine what it would be like to know the ins and outs of hitting, but not to succeed in doing so during a game? How frustrating!
Why aren’t we experiencing this abundant life? Why are many Christians frustrated? Because it isn’t enough just to know in your head that God wants to comfort you (2 Corinthians 1:3-7) when you’ve lost your best friend to cancer or an automobile accident. Because it isn’t enough just to know that "God causes all things to work together for the good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28) if you were in an unhealthy relationship and are trying to work through the pain and forgiveness. Because it’s not enough just to know that God is your Husband (Jeremiah 3:14) when you’re longing to be loved and married.
What is enough? A better question is "Who is enough?" Because the answer comes in experiencing God in our everyday lives. It is enough to draw upon God’s truth AND experience His presence in or through those situations. We need to cry out to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to comfort us as we grieve the loss. We must allow God to take the broken pieces of our lives and relationships in order to completely mend our soul. We should run to our Husband so that He can wrap His loving arms around us. This is where we experience true Life—by experiencing God in our everyday life.
Are you experiencing God moment-by-moment? Are you entrusting everything you are, everything you want to be, and everything you long to have to Him? Are you drawing upon Christ, or are you content with the head knowledge? Take a few moments and think through some of the things that you know to be true. Now write them down under my example.
- God’s grace is sufficient for me (2 Corinthians 9:8).
As you look at your answers above, ask yourself if you understand these by factual knowledge (ginosko) alone or through experience (oida). Then write out how you know. Once again, I’ve given an example to get you started.
- oida - When I was fearful and felt inadequate to speak, God calmed my anxieties and gave me His words to encourage the Sunday school class. His grace was sufficient for me.
As you walk through each day, make every effort to include Him in all you do. Practice His presence. He will transform your life!