Know Him
I have developed an interest in Y-DNA and genealogy in recent years. I can trace my ancestors back to about 1000 AD because the family was extremely large in the Middle Ages and highly documented. Because of the internet, research can be done by almost anyone. The amount of information, true or fake, is unbelievably large. Occasionally, I am made aware of a family tree made by people that I do not know. They are probably somewhat distant relatives. I am often surprised to see my grandparents as part of the tree. What is more interesting is that there will often be information about my grandparents that I was not aware of, such as dates and locations. It is probable that the people assembling this information have never seen my grandparents or even a photo of them.
There was an old photograph (1958) in my family of my grandfather holding me on his lap as an infant. It seems so odd that a stranger has information about my grandfather (and other relatives) that is greater than the data I have about him. I was a regular visitor to his home as a child. I even lived in his house for a time. If I needed a tool I would go across the street to where his shop was and ask him for it. He was never extremely talkative to children. I knew that about him as well as many other things, good and bad.
An old farmer once told me a story about my grandfather. He had an extreme temper. On time, while using a wrench, his hand slipped and he hurt his hand painfully. He got a cutting torch and cut the tool in half. He then threw both pieces through a glass window in his shop (he was a blacksmith). Later, when he need that size of wrench, he went into the field near his shop, found the two halves of the wrench, and welded them back together. Few people know details of his life like that. Many that have done genealogy work include him yet I am sure they have never met him. It is certain that not many people have ever been held by him on his lap!
Have you ever had people come to your front door and want to tell you about your best friend? If you really know Jesus and talk with Him every day, this can feel very strange. If you walk with the Holy Spirit every day and are led by Him, it can seem very odd that people who do not seem to know God at all are trying to tell you about Him. The people I mentioned who know about my grandfather academically are not malicious. It is just that they need general data to fill in an otherwise blank space on the family tree chart. However, the people who do not know God, yet use the name of Jesus to try to establish some sense of authority with you are involved in something profoundly wicked. They may not be doing it knowingly. Nonetheless, it is evil.
Imagine arguing with someone who has incorrect information about my grandfather on the family tree chart they are working on. When I share my information, they claim I am an impostor. They continue to tell me about this man whom I obviously do not know about. If I start to argue about birth certificates and dates on marriage licenses, I have derailed and become just like them. Yelling at each other about data may not yield anything beneficial. As a small child, I was held by this ancestor (according to the photo). No amount of screaming about information can compare with my intimate knowledge of him.
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3)
To know Him means to meet Him. It means to have experiential knowledge of Him. This does not mean that you must have a mystical experience as much as a practical experience with Him. He has to be more to you than data or dead information. You must meet Him by transacting business with Him in your heart and then going on to know more about Him, like getting to know a friend (though He is much more, He is not our “pal”, He is the King).
Make sure you meet the King. Then, continue getting to know Him and thus be prepared to occupy the place He has for you.
Sept 4, 2024