Why do you think so many try to figure out God?
The Christian clubs are so filled with dogma that it gets confusing as to which dogma to follow.
Reflection
Many constantly seek to find an expert on a topic—someone skilled in a craft. Maybe someone who has practiced, practiced and seems to have mastered that area. Devotion to something so much so and talent appears at ease and effortless in what they do.
We see these people all the time. Professionals in sports, music, public speaking, home improvement, and cooking come to mind. We also see some in how they speak about the Bible and worship God.
I am unsure if the weight loss, self-help, or God industry has more books and “expert” advice on getting to some destination. They blur together for me.
It got me thinking as an avid reader of those materials and a person who failed miserably at following that expert advice. Do I need an expert in all of these areas? Maybe to get to a place, I just had to be me and take in all the input but make it my own.
I am not so sure how that works with self-help and weight loss, but when it comes to God, I think I’ve got it! Like you, I think I am an expert and a master at it. Let me explain.
So God is way bigger than anything we can imagine. But for some reason, He desires a personal relationship with us. He knows just what we can understand and loves us unconditionally as we are. He doesn’t expect us to do anything more or less than how he created us.
He has given us many models and examples to learn from. Some good sound samples and some excellent and bad examples. He has graciously provided the Bible to help many churches and us with various approaches to bring us together with other believers. Millions of books and other content to fill our minds with.
But God does not consider any of us experts. He finds us well, us. He wants a relationship with us, which is the most important thing to Him. At least, that is what I believe. He wants us just as we are. Sure, he wouldn’t mind more of our time and a willingness to continue getting to know him better. But at the end of the day, we don’t have to strive for perfection. There is no perfection.
Relationship with God is time invested with God. It’s time spent in prayer and meditation. Time in a church. Time reading the Bible. Time listening to preachers and reading materials that help us know God more. It’s time to serve others, whether on a mission trip or just holding a door open for someone.
I genuinely believe that as we walk this planet, we encounter many people who are deeply connected with God and thriving in their relationships. They may or may not live in extraordinary circumstances with what might seem like splendor. But I believe that none of the earthly “riches” compare to the richness of knowing you are one with God in the way you can be. In lockstep to where He needs you to be at the perfect time, He needs you to be there.
Experts in God do not exist. I’m not one, even though I have this thought. More of a hunch. Anyone who thinks they have God figured out is wrong. You can only know God to the level of your investment in knowing God.
You have read this to at least here is an excellent example of your desire to know God. I sincerely encourage you to evaluate yourself but not in comparison to others. Just challenge yourself on how invested you are in this truly most important relationship you can ever have in your life.
God, the most fantastic parent we ever had, waits for you patiently, ready to engage and have what will be genuinely one where you will find peace, joy, hope, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose in doing His will and not yours.
So don’t look for any experts. You already are one. Now go continue to master the craft. No doubt, with time and practice, you will be better tomorrow than you were today. Also, we do get better with age!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for playing no favorites and loving us just as you made us. Thank you for bringing such awareness about how this works. Would you please let us understand this and get more invested in knowing and serving you? Please help us understand what you need, give us the courage to do it, and now and again, show us that we are on track. Please keep us safe and surround us with the people we can serve and help us. We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior, and Lord. Amen.
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