5-18-2024 7:21pm

Strong spirits: knowing about, or knowing?

Photo: John Cordes, MTSOfan, Flickr

Is there someone you know about, but would actually like to know, or know better? Would God fit that category?

Most of us know, or think we know, some things about God. And of course, the more we can know about God- at least if it is accurate knowledge- the better.

But there is a difference between knowing about God and knowing God. Just as there is a difference between knowing about a person, and actually knowing them.

God already knows everything about each of us (see Psalm 139). What he wants is for us to actually know him. The Apostle Paul prayed this for his friends: "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better" (Ephesians 1:17).

What could be better than to know well the One who loves you most? Why not ask him to make himself known to you? He will!

Besides serving as pastor at Caledonia Congregational Church, Gary Schwerin is the Spiritual Development Minister for the YMCA of the Rock River Valley and Executive Director of Bridge Ministries of Rockford. Prior to launching Bridge Ministries, Gary spent many years in leadership with Young Life. His columns appear here every Sunday - to see them all, subscribe to our daily email.