Knowing God

I have just spent an amazing few days at the John Calvin Schools Teacher's Conference. Suffice to say, it was very inspiring and touched me greatly- all I want to do is start teaching... now. But I still have a while at uni, or maybe it won't be so long if they keep cancelling my classes. Anyways, some things from the conference will appear in various blog posts from time to time, especially those which relate to my 'miniseries' on fruit. Yes, I will keep that promise.

What picture do you have of the LORD? Who is God to you? This is a necessary question to reflect on when considering life. For if we don’t know who our God is, how will we live Christian lives? How can we believe in God and bear His Name (as Christians) if we don’t know Him? So then, how do we know God? Through His Word. To many that may seem obvious. But I think there is a lot more depth when we speak of ‘knowing God’. To know God doesn’t just mean to confess Him as the only, true, triune God. There is more to God’s character. And I believe there is something new to discover every morning anew.

There are certainly some characteristics which to the human mind are unfathomable; however I think we are continually given opportunities to discover who our God is. He has revealed Himself in His Word and in His creation. But how well do we read these two books? Consider Bible reading- how often do we reflect on what we read? I will be the first to admit that often it comes in one ear and goes straight out the other. But in order to spread the Word, skim reading as we rush to work, or taking less time because we desperately want to finish our book, isn’t enough. The Word must pass through us before we can pass it on. That means we must take it in. Let it fill our heart. And then maybe life won’t become a list of do’s and don’ts, but instead a joy and delight in doing God’s commandments. Don’t look at the ‘rules’ but at the God behind them.

Guess what Bible most people read? A Christian’s life. And if a Christian doesn’t reflect the light of God, then they rob God of His glory. Consider this phrase: ‘The greatest lessons aren’t spoken, but lived”. We won’t change other people’s lives until we walk the talk. Be a joyful Christian. Be a loving Christian community. This brings to mind another example: How do we speak about the church? Do we criticize certain congregations, ministers, leaders, people...? But think about Who is behind that church. Think about the church as the activity of Jesus Christ! Then will you be so quick to condemn?

What does this have to do with fruit? Not much. That was just my introductory spiel. There is so much we can learn about how to live life, but if we don’t recognise the awesome God Who is behind it all, I guess it becomes rather pointless. We can have a perfect life but that doesn’t mean much if we don’t believe and confess God as He really is. And I think that through deep meditation on His Word (which I may expand on later) we can find something new about God in every passage we read, every verse we meditate on, every time we look out of our car window, every time we open our eyes. His mercies are new every morning.


P.S. Just an interesting fact... the Top 10 jobs in 2010 didn't even exist in 2004. Shows how much the world is changing!