You Can Know God

I was sitting in high school biology, trying hopelessly to understand cell division. Pretty soon I gave up all together and started thinking about what had been on my mind lately.

I felt so far from God.

When I was eight years old I made a decision to put my faith in God by accepting the gift of life Jesus offered, but I never felt anything. Following God seemed like the right thing to do in my brain, but I was sad when God still seemed like this far-off idea and not real.

Right there in high school science class I prayed (not out loud, just in case you’re wondering). I said, God, if you’re real, I want to feel you. I want to know without a doubt that you’re there.

Nothing happened in that moment.

But a few months later I went to church camp on summer break, and while I was at camp I went to an afternoon class that taught me how to spend time with God. They called it “quiet time”. I took notes, and when I got home I gave it a try. The first time I tried to spend alone time with God in my bedroom seemed to last FOREVER. (It was only about three minutes.)

I wanted to know God, so I kept at this new discipline. I started to pray, and God started specifically answering my prayers. And when I read the Bible it seemed like he was speaking right to me and what I needed.

Over time, I realized I was starting to experience God. He was real, and I was getting to know Him every day.

Thirty-seven years later I can’t even imagine that I ever felt far away from God. He is so real now. I talk to Him all day long, and He answers me. I could tell you so many stories about how God has taken care of me. It’s the most exciting, life-giving relationship I’ve ever had.

It’s a close relationship, and it’s so good that I want you to experience it.

In Jeremiah 9:23-24, God says that if we really want to brag about something, He wants us to brag that we know Him.

God wants you to know Him.

So if you feel far from God, do what I did. Pray and ask Him to show you He is real. Put your faith in His Son, Jesus. Start out by reading a little bit from the book of Mark in the Bible every morning. Talk to God.

He’s waiting for you.