I was recently given a book called Knowing God by J. I. Packer. Never heard of him? Neither had I. This book was published in 1973 – I was seven at the time it went to press. When I was first introduced to it – I thought; looks cool, interesting title, who wouldn’t want to know God more? But as I begin to look at it in detail – chapter titles, preface, etc., I realized this book was not presenting itself as a way to know God more. No, this book was asking the simple question of Do you know God? Do I Know God?
Well sure I know God, I mean I have accepted Christ as my Savior, I read my Bible, Study God’s word, I pray almost every day and I know every Chris Tomlin song there is. As I am having this conversation with myself, I keep hearing this voice saying yes, you know me but you don’t know me the way I want you to know me. Well now…. this book doesn’t look so cool, it’s almost 300 pages, I’ve never heard of this Packer dude, this book is as old as I am. Yea, I’ll read it as soon as I get some time.
I have had this book for I think 3 weeks now and only in the last couple of days have I started to read it. Hard to admit it but I simply did not want to answer the question of Did I Know God? I do know God but I knew this book was going to challenge me to move. To look at my walk with Christ with new eyes and I wasn’t ready for that. Not sure that I am now but the journey as started. I am just a handful of chapters into it and already know that I will be different as a result of this book.
I love to write. Always have but for years I got away from it until about 3 years ago when I took up “blogging”. I truly do write for myself and am always amazed and humbled that folks take time out to read anything I may write. So why am I bringing this up now? I believe that one of things we are called to do for each other is to share our journey’s/stories/life experiences, etc. Not for self promotion but that others may learn from us – both the good and the bad.
I am inviting you to journey with me as I read this book. My style of learning, studying, especially in regards to my walk with Christ has always been to read a couple of chapters straight through and then go back and read them for a second time. As I read the 2nd time, I mark, highlight key words, sentences, etc. I then type those notes into a folder. In this case I feel compelled to blog about whatever God reveals to me during this journey. My fear in doing this is that I may reveal more of myself than I care for you to know. But I honestly feel that God is calling me to do this.
Stay tuned. Peace and thanks for reading!
My study group is looking for our next book. I’ll suggest this one.
We are wrapping up a book that has challenged us all. A book called “Grace: The Power to Change”. I be interested on your reflections on Grace…
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Hey Scott, How do I send friends to read this blog who aren’t on FB? What’s the address, is what I’m asking.
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