Experiencing God

“We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” – 1 John 4:16

God is more than a subject to be studied but rather a personal, relational God who wants us to know Him deeply and to experience Him daily. This isn’t something mystical. It’s actually quite practical. We can know God’s will for our lives. But it requires an understanding of “God’s will.” Americans are inclined to think of “God’s will” only in terms of God’s will for my life.

The problem with that line of thinking is that God, the Creator, and Ruler of the universe, doesn’t exist in a way that revolves around me. It’s actually not about me at all. We need to step out of our self-centered view of things to realize that it’s all about Him and His purposes. God is up to some things that are far bigger than anything that any of us are up to. 

There’s a big difference between God’s will for my life and simply God’s will. God’s will is essentially the timeless unfolding of His work of redemption – a work into which He desires to draw and use each one of us. So do not think in terms of  “God, come bless what I’m doing” and instead develop a “God, help me to do what you want to bless” prayer and mindset.  It will often take making major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing. It requires each of us to worship Him and not myself, Him and not my own dreams and ambitions, comfort and happiness.

Knowing God and doing His will is a repetitive cycle. I see and hear Him. I decide to join Him. I am transformed and I watch Him work. When I see Him work, I trust Him more. Over time, my personal, experiential knowledge of Him grows as I obey Him.

God Is always calling us to experience Him in a deeper and more personal way. We can live life entirely for ourselves. But we’ll never be fully satisfied. You’ll always wonder who you are and what life is all about. Or, you can begin to see God at work in the gospel and in the world around you, commit to abandoning yourself, and joining Him. 

However or whenever or wherever God comes to us, we need to be ready to hear and obey. In order to be available to experience God in different ways, we need to be open to the voice of the Holy Spirit. It’s up to every one of us.  Our prayer is that you will say “yes” to God’s call to join God in His plan for the world

Discussion Questions:

1. Scripture describes how Jesus was fully dependent upon the Father for everything He said and did.  Why/how is this significant to us?
2. Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. Why do you think God likes to do His work through ordinary people? What does this look like in your life?