A Reflection on Faith, Experience, and the Struggles of Daily Life
If someone were to ask you, “Do you know God?” how would you respond? For many of us, the answer might not come easily. The words “knowing God” seem so bold, so certain, that they carry a weight we may feel unprepared to claim. Sure, we might look to our faith journey—perhaps a moment of conversion or a testimony we’ve shared countless times—and say, “Yes, I know about God.” But to say, without hesitation and with a sense of deep, personal conviction, “I have known God”? That’s a different matter altogether.
Let’s be honest: for most of us, the experience of God often feels elusive. It’s not that we don’t believe or that we don’t pray—many of us do. But the kind of vivid, unmistakable awareness of God’s presence, the kind that transforms ordinary moments into holy ground, often seems out of reach. It’s as if we’re strangers to the idea of truly “knowing” God in a way that feels tangible and definitive. Instead, we find ourselves clinging to the rituals and habits of faith, sometimes wondering if we’re missing something deeper.
Faith in the Face of Life’s Challenges
And then there’s life—messy, complicated, heartbreaking life. If knowing God is supposed to bring peace and clarity, why do our past disappointments and present heartbreaks still weigh so heavily on us? We carry these burdens like crosses, telling ourselves that it’s just part of the Christian journey. We try to make peace with the pain, but too often it festers, leaving us bitter, apathetic, or simply exhausted.
The truth is, it’s hard to reconcile the struggles of life with the idea of a God who is near and knowable. We read verses about joy and peace, like Peter’s words about “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8 KJV), and we wonder why those feelings seem so foreign to us. Instead of radiating joy, we often present a kind of stoic endurance to the world. We soldier on, but inside we feel dried up, far removed from the vibrant faith we’re told we should have.
So, What Does It Mean to Know God?
To know God, in the truest sense, is not simply to know about God or to recount the milestones of our faith journey. It’s something deeper—a relationship, a reality that shapes how we see ourselves, our circumstances, and the world around us. But how do we get there? How does this knowledge move from being an abstract idea to a lived experience?
The first step, perhaps, is honesty. We need to admit where we are—our doubts, our struggles, and even our frustrations with God. Faith isn’t about pretending everything is fine; it’s about bringing our whole selves, messy and imperfect, to the table. It’s in this vulnerability that we open the door to a deeper connection with God.
Secondly, knowing God requires time and intention. Just as we grow closer to a friend through shared experiences and conversations, we grow closer to God by spending time in prayer, reflection, and even silence. This isn’t about checking boxes on a spiritual to-do list; it’s about creating space for God to meet us in the middle of our everyday lives.
Finally, knowing God often means learning to see differently. It’s about finding God not just in the mountaintop moments but in the small, seemingly mundane details of life. It’s realizing that God’s presence isn’t dependent on our feelings or circumstances but is constant, even when we don’t recognize it.
Moving Forward in Faith
So, can we truly say, “I know God”? Maybe not yet—not in the way we might hope. But the journey of faith isn’t about having all the answers or reaching some final destination. It’s about walking with God, step by step, through the highs and lows of life. It’s about being open to learning and growing, even when the path is unclear.
Yes, life’s disappointments and heartbreaks still matter. But as we come to know God more deeply, we begin to see them in a new light—not as obstacles to faith, but as opportunities for grace. And perhaps, over time, we’ll find that the knowledge of God isn’t something to be achieved but something to be lived, day by day, in the messy, beautiful reality of our lives.
In the end, knowing God isn’t about perfection or certainty. It’s about relationship. It’s about being willing to say, “I don’t have it all figured out, but I’m here, and I’m seeking.” And maybe, just maybe, that’s where true knowledge begins.
Minister A. Francine Green
afrancinegreen.com 