Is there a difference between one who is seriously dedicated to knowing God and one who isn't? Absolutely. The 'seriously dedicated' part needs some definition, because many claim to be followers of Jesus, but are they really? The Bible speaks of the road to heaven as a narrow one, and even speaks of many who arrive at the door of heaven speaking of all they did for the glory of God, with Jesus' response? "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:15-23). The key to this passage, isn't what we know about, or 'did' for Jesus, but if He knows us. While some might say, He is God, doesn't He know all? Of course. But knowing about and fully knowing someone are two different things. Fully knowing, requires our response and affects our purpose in life. The idea of knowing here, refers to a relationship.
Over the years, the more I "know" about my wife, the more I have found my purpose (response), and living is driven by her life, her desires, her dreams (affects). All this, requires a relationship, not just a casual one, but one of searching and learning, understanding and exploring the details of what forms her heart and drives her through her days. In fact, there is little that brings me more earthly joy than seeing her laugh, struggle, and live in my presence, as I sacrifice my own desires to complete hers. This kind of knowing requires time, a sincere investment in understanding her complexities, seeing her as a partner in the adventurous sailing we embark, not an anchor. While God 'knows us', His desires is that we serve as His partner in the living, not doing what we want (an anchor), but in response to Him (the adventure).
I am always amazed at how a supreme God demonstrates His power and supremacy through acts of incredible humility. Why would God, subject Himself to abuse and ridicule of His creation? Why would God take on the nature, character, becoming bound by time and space, to walk the earth and serve His creation? Why does the all powerful God allow His creation to 'walk away' from the joy and restoration of His love? Because His humility is also bound by justice and righteousness.
As a man, a simple and unastounding one at that, I continue to ponder the significance God has charged me with, into the lives of others. I wrestle with what makes a life one that will become and exist as one known by Jesus, in such a way that there are no surprises for me, when I arrive at the gate of heaven. I have filled my life with 'doing', and maybe the doing that will be unrecognizable by my Lord. But I want, seriously desire, all this to change. My desire is to be seriously dedicated to Jesus, in such a way that my life accomplishes 'even greater things' than He was able to accomplish as He walked the earth (Jesus' prayer for us in John 17)...however, the only way that these things can happen, is if we all, together, ask and let Him empower our daily lives in such a way that His glory is evident; not our glory, not our fame, not our deeds, His.
Can it be that my life continues, unastounding, while His life, His leading, overtakes those who encounter Jesus, through me in such a way that Jesus Himself knows me? This is my desire.
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