I have had people ask
about God and where to start, so here it is simply put. The thing always I like to clarify first is that God is not a religion.
I have a relationship with God, I do not follow religion. Yes, there are
rituals and teachings but those are trailing behind the relationship because
without it nothing is of importance and becomes just another thing to do.
Like getting to know a
person - a friend, coworker, future spouse - you have to spend time with them.
You cannot simply hangout with people who know Sally, talk about Sally, explain
what she is like, list her characteristics and what she's done for each person
and expect to really know Sally at all. You may have a general idea about what
to expect when you meet Sally but you have to actually spend time with her to
know her. The same is true with God. You have to personally spend time with him
in order to know what he is like. To taste and see that he is good (Psalm 34:8).
Church is look like
group dating, if you will. This is the part where you may have encountered
Jesus for the first time. Perhaps through an invite from a friend or family
member or you were brave and just showed up. I met my husband through friends
back in junior high, perhaps you can relate. Church is when everyone comes
together to worship and get to know God together. You have the opportunity to
get to know God through his message from the pastor. Through the people he has
strategically placed next to you in your Sunday school class or at the end of
the row in service. Through tithes and offering. Through volunteering in
various ministries throughout the week and getting involved in God's community
and bible studies.
Church may be the part
that feels more scripted and you may try to look good and be on your best
behavior but just be yourself. You just need to come as you are and realize that you are coming to a place that is
filled with others who are imperfect and sinful, too. Not perfect in the slightest. After all, no one is perfect, no
not even one (Romans 3:10). So do not
feel like you are an outcast, you fit right in, really. Church is a place filled with people who realize they need a
savior and choose not to do life alone anymore because life with God is AMAZING.
When you are dating a
new person of interest, a lot of time is generally spent hanging out with him
or her, especially one on one. He becomes the thing you cannot stop thinking
about. You wonder how you ever were without her. And may even think of ways to
impress him.
Your relationship with
God needs the same thing, without the impressing part. You need one on one
time. It is carving out time to get to know him. Just you and him. Reading your
bible. Writing down what speaks to you through it. It's taking down questions
about things you do not understand and God leading you to someone who is able
to answer them, most likely someone in the group dating part. It is learning to
clear yourself from distractions and listen. A relationship without quality one
on one time is not going to last or be deep, especially with God. And the best part of a relationship with
God is that you just have to come to God as you are, messy parts included.
And just in case you
need a nickname for him, (because when you get to know someone a special name
is something you share) I thought I would leave you with some compiled from A Confident Heart by Renee Swope.
Emmanuel:
My God with me (Matt. 1:22-23)
El-Channun:
The Gracious God (Jonah 4:2)
El
Hanne'eman: The Faithful God (Deut. 7:9)
El
Roi: The God Who Sees Me (Gen. 16:13-14)
El
ha-Gibbor: The Mighty God, God the Hero (Isa. 9:6)
El
Shaddai: The All-Sufficient God (Gen. 17:1-2)
El
Sali: God of My Strength (Ps. 42:9)
El
Olam: The Everlasting God (Gen. 21:32–33)
El
Elyon: The Most High God (Dan. 4:34)
Elohim:
God, My Mighty Creator (Gen. 1:1)
Jehovah
Jireh: The Lord Who Will Provide for Me (Gen. 22:13–14)
Jehovah
Rapha: The Lord Who Heals Me (Exod. 15:26)
Jehovah
Nissi: The Lord My Banner (Exod. 17:15–16)
Jehovah
Shalom: The Lord My Peace (Judg. 6:24)
Yahweh
Tsuri: The Lord My Rock (Ps. 144:1)
Jehovah
Rohi: The Lord My Shepherd (Ps. 23:1)
Jehovah
Shammah: The Lord Is There for Me (Ezek. 48:35)
Abba:
My Father (Ps. 68:5–6)
Praying that you will seek God and find him. That he will be the one you run to in joy and heartache. That you would learn to trust him as each of these names is played out over your life tine. Praying that you would enjoy your time spent with God and know that there is nothing sweeter.
Here's
to getting to know God better than anyone you know. Here's to a renewed
relationship with the creator of the universe.
And a little printable, if you need a reminder of his awesomeness. Click to download an 8x10.
Be First to Post Comment !
Post a Comment