A Reflection in Everyday Language
Have you ever wondered what it really means to know God—not just to know about Him, but to truly know Him? When I think about the reality of our perception of God, I’m reminded that this isn’t just a matter for theologians or pastors. It’s something that touches all of us, deep down in our hearts, whether we realize it or not.
Longing for Something More
There’s a kind of restlessness inside every person, a thirst that nothing in this world seems to quench. This isn’t just about wanting more stuff, a better job, or even a happier life. It’s about the deep desire to connect with something—and Someone—far bigger than ourselves. People like King David in the Bible felt this too. He wrote, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.” That’s not just poetry; it’s an honest cry from the heart, a longing for God Himself.
Passion: More Than Curiosity
What stands out about the people who truly know God is not just their curiosity about Him, but their overwhelming passion to experience Him. This isn’t a passing interest; it’s a drive that shapes who they are and what they do. David wasn’t perfect, but his hunger for God was what made him special. The apostle Paul had the same passion. He said, “All I want is to know Christ.” For both of these men, knowing God wasn’t a side hobby—it was the main thing.
Three Ways We Know God
Trying to understand God isn’t simple. The journey usually starts with our minds. We learn facts about God, maybe from nature, books, or other people. That’s the intellectual level. Then, we build on that with theology—organizing what we know into beliefs and doctrines. But these only take us so far.
The deepest level is what some call the “mystical”—not in a spooky way, but in the sense of actually experiencing God’s presence. This is where it goes beyond just knowing about God and becomes a real, living relationship with Him. It’s like the difference between reading about the ocean and actually standing on the shore, feeling the wind and hearing the waves.
Why Passion for God Matters
Let’s be honest: most of us get passionate about lots of things—sports, entertainment, vacations. But these things don’t last. The passion that truly satisfies is the one that drives us to seek God. Sometimes, life’s distractions or even our own reasoning get in the way. Reason is good; it helps us make sense of the world. But when it comes to God, reason only takes us to the door. Faith is what opens it and lets us step inside.
The Challenge of Distraction
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in everything but God. We fill our lives with activities and gadgets, hoping they’ll make us happy. But in the end, they leave us more restless than before. The reality is, anything that keeps us from God—no matter how harmless it seems—becomes our enemy on this journey. Only God’s power can break through those walls and draw us closer to Him.
The Outcome of Pursuing God
What happens when we make knowing God our main focus? We begin to experience His power and presence in ways we never imagined. The apostle Paul talked about three things that helped him focus: the power of Jesus’ resurrection (real change in our lives), sharing in His sufferings (being willing to follow Him no matter what), and becoming more like Him (letting go of our old selves so God can make us new).
This kind of passion isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being persistent. Both David and Paul had their flaws and struggles, but their desire for God kept them moving forward. Their lives remind us that it’s not where we start, but where we’re headed that matters.
Growing in Our Relationship with God
At the end of the day, the Christian journey is about growing—not just in knowledge, but in a true, personal relationship with God. As we get to know Him better, everything else begins to fade in importance. We may enjoy the good things in life, but nothing compares to the joy of truly knowing God.
Even the hymns and songs written by those who passionately sought God can inspire us today. Their words remind us that this pursuit is worth it, filling our lives with meaning and hope.
Final Thoughts
The reality of our perception of God comes down to this: it’s not enough to just know about Him. We’re invited to know Him personally, to let that passion for Him shape our lives, and to find in Him the satisfaction our hearts have always craved. May we each have the courage and desire to pursue God—not just with our minds, but with our whole hearts.
Minister A Francine Green
January 2026
afrancinegreen.com 