The Worth Of Knowing

“This was so not worth it!” my six year old said as we walked back toward our car after our one mile hike. I was a little disappointed.

“Well, you did find fun things to collect along the way,” I reminded her, “And you got to see the big river at the look out.”

“Still not worth it. I’m never coming here again – ever,” she said dramatically.

I keep thinking about this hike in light of walking with others in Christ. Walking with tired children is a little like walking alongside a doubting Christian (I wrote about it here). I’m often a bit tired and have some doubts while I’m walking alongside them which makes it all the more … uhh … sanctifying.

Recently, I’ve been wondering about how my daughter’s experience on the hike and her knowledge about her surroundings impacted her perception of it. If her experience had been different (maybe if she wasn’t hungry or it wasn’t hot) and if she knew more (maybe like how long a mile is) she might have had a different perception of the hike.

But her change in perception would not have changed the trail, the look out, or the river.

Similarly, my experience in God’s presence and knowledge about him does not change God. But it does change my perception of him which can change how I view myself, others, and life. It matters.

I think most people and churches are comfortable embracing either experience or knowledge more than the other. We tend to make an idol of emotions or answers and can find ourselves pursing them rather than God himself.

I wrote a bit about emotional sanctification a couple years ago. Writing it felt like stepping into uncharted territory since I came from a background strong in knowledge of God, but not so much emotions/experiences with God. I was scared to give emotions and experiences too much authority, but also knew that God wanted not just my head but also my heart.

I found this excerpt from the post relatable to what’s been on my mind recently:

“In other words, how I feel about Jesus doesn’t change His character or what He has done. But how I feel about Jesus can change me and my thoughts, view of self, relationships with others … basically everything.

Faith in Jesus is not simply historical facts to shape our lives around or a series of experiences that make us feel better. It’s a relationship that probably includes both those things along with God’s unconditional commitment to us (John 10:28,29).”

My perception of God will always be evolving. It will never be complete. But that’s okay.

God himself doesn’t change and he is unconditionally committed to me. I have time to know and experience him more fully. He do the work in me.

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:13 NLT