You can know about God and still not know God.

 

Think about a famous person in history. You might know when they were born and when they died, where they lived, and some of their major accomplishments and contributions to this world. Maybe you have done research and are considered an expert! But do you actually know that person?

 

Knowing about someone is not the same as actually knowing them.

 

There are probably people in your life that you think you know. You work with them and see them at the store. You know how they dress and what sort of house they live in. You may even admire and respect them. But if you haven’t taken time to draw close to them and share the things in life that are most meaningful, you probably don’t know them.  Even in church, you see people, smile at them, and chat with them. But we too often let walls of politeness separate us from actually getting to know them. I think it was one of Robert Frost’s poems that said, “Good fences make good neighbors.” Maybe good fences help us to live politely with others, but do they really make us good neighbors? Unless we approach the fences and build a confiding gateway to conversation, will we ever get to know one another, even if we do know about them?

 

This is true about God too. I’ve met people who seem to know a lot about God and yet don’t seem to really know Him or the power of His promises. Some will contest, “Who can know the mind of God? He is too great for us to comprehend with our puny earthly minds!”  I agree. We will never be able to put God in a box and define Him in our terms. But He has revealed Himself to us throughout history and continues to invite us to draw close to Him, to know His character. He wants us to not only know about what He has done and still wants to do. He longs for us to come into His presence and know Him.

 

It’s beneficial to know about God. His great feats of majesty and mercy inspire us to great hope. But beyond the intellectual gymnastics of knowing about God there is peace and joy and power to be found in knowing God as a child knows their father.  And how does one come to know God? Just like you come to know a very close friend: spend time with Him – when you are tired, angry, confused, filled with sorrow, and astounded by joy and grace. When you are dismayed, disappointed or depressed. Put everything else behind you and just start talking, and then be quiet and listen. Teach yourself to hear His still small voice whisper His love to you and His plans for you.

 

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10