“And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.” (Jn. 17:3)
I vividly remember the first time I picked up J.I. Packer’s classic work, “Knowing God”. It was a season in my life. I had just begun to earnestly pursue an understanding of who God is. This remarkable book became a guidepost, a light illuminating foundational truths about God that I still carry with me today. Its depth and clarity shaped my view of faith. It taught me about God’s character. It also showed me the profound ways we can relate to Him.
One of the truths that struck me most while reading Packer’s work is that truly knowing someone requires time. It also requires intention and participation in that person’s world. This is no less true of our relationship with God. To know Him is to spend time with Him—not in detached observation, but through active and relational engagement. This idea resonates deeply with the call to not simply learn about God but to live in communion with Him.
I have come to see that God is present among the vulnerable, actively seeking their good. He is not a distant deity but a God of compassion who moves toward those in need. When we align ourselves with His heart, we participate in His work of caring for and uplifting others. We don’t just serve; we get to know Him more deeply. In these moments of shared mission, we encounter His character: His justice, His mercy, and His love.
Joining God in His work among His children requires humility and openness. It challenges us to step into the spaces where He dwells: with the marginalized, the overlooked, and the hurting. As we do so, we find that we are not only helping others but also building a relationship with Him. In these acts of solidarity and service, we catch glimpses of His heart. We grow in our understanding of who He is.
Packer’s book has stayed with me all these years. It is not just a theological treatise. It is also an invitation—a call to step out of the theoretical and into the relational. It taught me that knowing God isn’t simply about accumulating knowledge. It’s about participating in His world. It’s also about allowing His presence to shape our own. When we join Him in seeking the good of His children, we start to understand Him better. We experience Him in ways no book alone could ever teach.
“Knowing God” remains, for me, a timeless reminder that our faith is not static but dynamic. It is a journey of discovery, one that takes us deeper into relationship with the One who first loved us. May we all have the courage to step into His world. Let us love as He loves. May we know Him more fully in the process.
Blessings,
Minister A. Francine Green
afrancinegreen.com 