Thoughts on knowing Jesus and desiring others to know Him...

I listened to a song last night by Sara Groves that I hadn't heard before. It seemed to do well in summing up how I feel and caused me to contemplate the things I believe in and am passionate about. And those things that one desires to share with others, but others don't seem to be interested. It can become wearisome, lonesome and heartbreaking. Like getting together with an old friend with whom you had so much in common at one time, but now you just don't seem to click.

And the thing I'm passionate about is this relationship I have with Jesus Christ that I so desire others to have, for others to know Him and to be passionate about Him as well.

There are those that know a lot about Him. They've got the facts down much better than I do regarding the Bible and its doctrines. I know very little. I don't always see things clear. And I struggle often times when trying to share this relationship and what it (He) means to me with others. But I know Him and I know His love for me. This relationship is available to you, as He so desires that all would come to Him to know Him.

The word "know" is an interesting word. In the context of "knowing the Lord" it has a much deeper meaning than just a surface knowledge about Him. This knowing refers to a deep, intimate relationship.

Imagine, the God of the Universe, the One who created everything, so desires to know you and me—intimately, deeply, profoundly—and for us to know Him likewise. Surely He knows us inside and out. The Bible says He knows the number of hairs on our heads. He knew us in our mothers' wombs where He awesomely and wonderfully made us. So He knows us better than we know ourselves. But still He desires a knowing relationship, an intimacy with each of us.

He's never one to force Himself on anyone. We have been given the gift of free will. If we only knew how passionate He is about wanting us, desiring us to come to Him. He is always standing at the door of our hearts knocking, waiting for us to respond to Him. Are we listening? Are you listening now?

Someone once said that life is a mystery to be lived, not a problem to be solved. A relationship with Jesus Christ is mysterious and wonderful. Coming to know Him is the most life-changing event one will ever experience. I've known Him for many years but I'm far from figuring it (or Him) all out. But the "problem" of my trying to figure out who I am and why I'm here is no longer a mystery for me.

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." —John 1:12-13

^"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." —Revelation 3:20

He's standing right there, right in front of you, knocking. You can refuse Him or you can welcome Him in and begin the journey of a lifetime, for now and eternity. All you need to start the relationship is to ask Him.

I'm praying for you.

Dave

Do we always have to agree?

For siblings in Christ to love one another, respect one another, encourage and teach one another... do we always have to agree with one another?

Is it necessary for a brother or sister to walk with another brother or sister to always see eye to eye, to always be "on the same page?" Or can we give one another space and freedom to move about as the Lord does His thing in each of us?

If you're excited over having had some revelation, some epiphany with something the Lord has shown you then I will be excited with you, even if I can't relate to your new found discovery. And if I come to you with a new found discovery and you can't relate to it or to me then I won't get upset or frustrated. I'll give you space and still walk with you as I hope you do with me.

Isn't it freedom that we've been called to? The freedom to let go of one another to allow God to have His own way with each of us. And the respect needed to grant one another, the space to say, "I don't always understand you... but I love you and will keep lifting you up to the Father who does understand us all."

With this attitude we can walk with one another in trust, put our differences and misunderstandings aside, and lift one another to Him, leaving each other in His capable hands.

This is how I see things. This is how I want to live.
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"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained." Philippians 3:12-16
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