there is something about getting in my car and driving west that helps me see life differently. the sun shines brighter and music rings more true in my soul. i feel like i am just hanging out with God.
this morning when i woke up, there was a bright blue sky and a sparkling sun! i couldn’t resist doing something completely spontaneous. so i got in the car and drove west for while, explored a bit.
i love to discover new things. to be small among the vast expanses of texas farm fields. to listen to music at volume 37. to enjoy creation and Creator.
i feel His freedom that He has given me.
i can think about things. good things, hard things, and everywhere in between. and somehow, i know that He will see me through. and that God has been and will be faithful to me. and that He wants to know me and share with me.
as i have been steadily learning, there is a difference between knowing about God and knowing God. scripture is one of the best ways to know about God. but knowing God goes to greater distances than just reading scripture. it is His Spirit that guides us in knowing Him. and the body of believers. and creation. and yes, in scripture. i don’t mean to undervalue the scriptures, but i’ll say it again that i don’t think that the scriptures are the only reliable source on our quest to know God.
tonight, one of our pastors made a point about scripture that really struck me.
reading and studying the Bible can’t be a substitute for knowing God. throughout history, and still today, people have not had the scripture or have not been able to read, yet are we to say that God does not allow them to know Him? knowing Him is not dependent on you having a copy of the Bible, having it in your own language, or even being able to read.
my disclaimer is that i in no way think we should not spend part of our time reading the Bible. i just want to know His abundant Life. and as i move away from thinking that “it only comes from spending a certain amount of time reading the Bible every day,” i realize more and more His depths. and how i will never get to the bottom. but i’m okay with that.
I love the photos here. And I liked your comparison of “knowing” and “to know”. I have known many people in my life who can rattle off Bible verses and “talk Jesus” with the best of them, but they don’t KNOW Him. There is no other fruit in their life that shows the way to him. They just prove they can memorize well.
Of course we all need to read our Bibles becuase that is why God has it here for us. But that doesn’t excuse us from going out there and doing His work and getting in the thick of things with people even if it’s messy or hurts our hearts some times. Serving leads to a greater knowledge of Him and how he sees us and the world.
I love your blog a rama!