KNOW or NO

Having grown up in the generation that remembers the invention of the television and experiencing it becoming an added attraction to the family time dynamic, our current generation has no concept of what it means to be disconnected. With computers and cell phones and the like, we are able to know all of the happenings around the world within seconds. Magazines of every sort keep us informed on the latest antics of Hollywood. Our children, along with many adults, are on a first name basis with movie stars and know their every move; what they like to eat, the kind of car they drive and who is in what relationship, or not…today! While this scenario plays out every day for most of us, and may give us some sense of feeling connected, it is, as they say, “a virtual world!”

If asked, I believe most people today would say they know the name, Jesus. But, what do they know about Him is the more important question and where do they get their information? The answers to these questions would be more vast than could ever be addressed in a single writing because so many variables exist.

However, I also believe, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” [John 3:16, emphasis mine]

We may think we “know” our favorite celebrities when the truth is we simply know about them. Our lives do not interact so we do not, in reality, share depth and relationship with them. Remember, this type of connection is virtual. The dictionary definition, which by the way I am reading from my phone, states that the word, virtual means “being such in power, force, or effect, though not actually or expressly such.” While in the world of celebrities, it is all well and good to “not actually or expressly” know them, it is important to make the distinction between virtual and actual when we are trying to evaluate our knowledge of and personal relationship with Jesus!

As incredible as it sounds, Jesus said to God, His Father, “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, who you have sent.” [John 17:3, emphasis mine]

We have the ability to know Jesus and not merely know about Him! Doesn’t this truth blow your mind of reason, that The God of all creation and universes tells us that we can KNOW HIM? Well, if this knocks your socks off, then, listen to this: “But the man who loves God is known by God.” [1 Corinthians 8:3, emphasis mine] WOW!! Because I love Him, God knows me. Sweet friend, it doesn’t get any better than this!

Father, help me to fully grasp the reality that I not only have the choice to know You, but in this choice lies the awesome truth that YOU can know me too! AMEN

To The One Who placed every star in the heavens and Who tells us, “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” [Matthew 10:30]