I recently read a beautifully written article regarding what it means to experience God. Though perhaps the message comes off a bit strong as it is written from the perspective of one who has been hurt by a common western culture within Christianity, the overall point is well-made, and, to say the least, the author's words evoked compassion within me and spurred a plethora of thoughts, making for fruitful theological discussion with my roommate and dear friends. To my friend and fellow blogger, Greg, who linked the article and to the author of the article, thank you for sharing your thoughts, words, and honest convictions.
After much pondering and reflection of the article, it is heavy on my heart to share some of the insight I've gained in regards to the topics the article addresses. This article has such potential to teach all believers something, if only we will allow it to. I also think it could be encouraging to nonbelievers who can perhaps resonate with the feelings of the author. I commend the author for many reasons-the biggest being that the article is from a bold and honest heart.
To begin the summary of my thoughts, I ask this question: how do you define what it is to experience God?
Have you ever heard someone claim to have received revelation from the Holy Spirit-claiming to hear the voice of God? Perhaps this event has happened to you personally. Then again, perhaps it has not.
Maybe you're someone who experiences God through reading the Scriptures. Perhaps God reveals Himself to you through dreams, visions, or other forms of theophanies (interactions of the divine with mankind). Maybe seeing God through nature and acknowledging His peaceful attributes confirms God's existence to you, or perhaps it's a simple act of kindness or unconditional love that speaks wonders to your faith life. Maybe you take the makings of nature to be signs from the Heavenly Father-a butterfly when you needed it most, the falling of snow just as you're reading Isaiah 55, or a spider that holds great significance in depth and meaning.
Perhaps the comfort of good theology or the encouraging discussion of community is how you experience God. As Victor Hugo writes,
'To love another is to see the face of God'.Are any of these experiences 'wrong'? Are any of them better than another? Is God choosy about who and how He reveals Himself in regards to humanity? These questions and more are ones the mentioned article addresses.
The author in raw honesty shares bits and pieces of his faith journey growing up, explaining past times throughout his childhood in which he was encouraged to experience God in formatted and expected ways, something that is common in western culture today. Americans often set a high expectation within the Christian culture by establishing a uniformity standard that says one must experience God in 'x' way/s in order to be a 'real Christian'. To share words from the article:
Is compassion overwhelming you right now? That's all I felt as I initially read those brutally honest words. Each sentence is an outpouring of a precious soul that has been hurt by the cultural expectations that many western churches have set in regards to Christianity today. We as believers have set boundaries of what Jesus' love looks like, which is ironic indeed, that we are attempting to limit his limitless love. What does it say about the Church-a unified body that claims such a concept as unconditional love-that hurts people with the very way in which we are carrying out that 'love'? Is it love we are promoting at all if we confine said love with boundaries and limitations?'During a prayer retreat the year after high school I remember the leader instructing us to find an isolated place in the woods and wait there until we heard from the Lord. That afternoon people trickled back to the cabin with amazing stories of things God has spoken or revealed to them: words of peace and comfort, areas of pride and rebellion, relationships that need restoration, the beauty and wonder of creation. Some said that quietly waiting upon the still, small voice of the Lord had made them the most aware of Spirit’s indwelling presence they’d ever been. They spoke about how they felt that it was an experience that would forever alter their spiritual lives.If I may be brutally honest, my experience that day was one of frustration and despair leading to sin. I sat there listening and praying hour after hour, patiently waiting for God. After about five hours I told God that I couldn’t sense His presence or hear His voice, and I asked why. Still nothing. After another hour I wept almost hysterically. ‘Why God? Why can’t I know you’re here? Why can’t I hear your voice? What’s wrong? Is there sin in my heart? I’m trying, but am I not listening enough? Please, please reveal yourself to me. I trust you. I love you. I just want to know you’re there.” Nothing. I went back to the cabin already frustrated that I’d failed. As I heard these amazing stories from my friends I felt more than embarrassed. I felt humiliated. So I lied. I made up some great story about how God had touched my heart and remember quite vividly the leader saying, “See? That’s the power of God. As I said, all you have to do is wait on Him.''
Reader, I cannot express to you how much it broke my heart to read that believers are excluding souls with the very faith that is meant to include them. It is sad that the intellectual feel as if they have no place in the kingdom of God. On the other hand, I know plenty of people who would call themselves more experiential-perhaps more charismatic-in faith and have felt equally as excluded from the kingdom.
We've got to remind ourselves daily that the kingdom of God is meant for every man, woman, and child.
One question I want to address here that is mentioned in the article is this: is it biblical to have a 'personal relationship' with God?
In my Old Testament class this semester I have learned to consider two terms in regards to studying Scripture and ultimately in executing the Christian faith. The first is transcendence, which means to have an exalted view of God. Such a perspective is shown in Genesis 1:1-2:4, when God is portrayed as the Creator of every good thing, and because He is God (called Elohim), He is above all else and separated from the material universe. He is also shown to be a powerful God, as He 'speaks things into being'. He simply speaks and order comes. He is in some ways a composer of a symphony, and He is indeed viewed as a kingly figure as He seems to be on His throne (of sorts) and addressing a type of heavenly court or council with language such as, 'Let us make man in our image' and 'after our likeness'.
Take a moment to dwell on such a text: God is portrayed as KING.
That's truly beautiful.
The other term I want to discuss is immanence, which is a theological term given to the idea of a personal God, emphasizing God's nearness and interaction with humankind. This sort of perspective of God is shown in the language of Genesis 2:4-2:25 as God is defined with Israel's personal name for God: YHWH. From this part of the text we see God interested in and even concerned for His creation.
These two views of God must be kept in proper relationship to each other. If transcendence is overemphasized, God becomes so far removed so as to have little or no interest in humankind. An overly transcendent view makes any personal relationship nonexistent. On the other hand, an overly humanized Deity can lead to overfamiliarity, resulting in the glorification of human beings-perhaps even putting humans on God's level. Extreme humanization of God also makes the Deity irrelevant. A balance between these two views best represents the biblical view of God.
So, is it biblical to have a personal relationship with God? I indeed think so.
I truly think other texts point to this concept of a personal relationship with God as well, but that's all we will discuss for now.
The question for me is more along the lines of, what does a personal relationship with God look like?
Keep this in mind when considering this question: the meaning of the word 'personal'.
per·son·al
ˈpərsənəl/
adjective
1. of, affecting, or belonging to a particular person rather than to anyone else.
synonyms: direct, empirical, firsthand, immediate, experiential
2. of or concerning one's private life, relationships, and emotions rather than matters connected with one's public or professional career.
If each person is meant to have a personal relationship with God, then shouldn't we expect each person to relate to God in unique and various ways, as every single human being differs from another? Are any two people wired exactly the same? Of course not! Many western churches (and perhaps eastern as well) are guilty of creating rules for a relationship: you have to call God 'Daddy', you have to go on walks with God, you have to listen to the 'small, still voice' of the Holy Spirit to know what God wants for your life, or you have to write your prayers down in the form of love letters to Jesus-your real husband.
synonyms: private, intimate
Are any of these ways of connecting to God wrong? I don't think so, and in fact I engage in a few of them myself. Some people are wired in such ways that addressing God as a personal father figure and using western, cultural lingo brings comfort and peace to their souls. However, when we begin to set these examples of experiencing God as expectations for experiencing God, a problem arises. When we judge other people for not relating to God in the exact same format that we do, then we are no longer at the heart of God. When we popularize Christian concepts and lingo and make it absolute and the framework for being saved or for being a 'real Christian', then we first off are preaching the wrong Gospel, and we second off are creating limitations of how others can experience God. A friend of mine suggested that to set these sorts of limitations is even a form of robbing someone of having a personal relationship with God, because if they are not experiencing God in the same way as what is considered the 'norm' or even the 'expected', then they are often judged and even condemned-two acts that will only ever bring exclusivity and hurt. One person is not wired to experience God in such and such way, and when such and such way is advertised as the only way, then that person feels as if they aren't special enough to experience God.
What. a. lie.
If pride is the root of all sin, then this lie is most certainly a scheme straight from hell itself. In whispering such a lie, Satan is convincing believers that only they can experience God-that indeed redemption is for them and them alone. This lie places humans at the center, and if man is at the core, then where does that place God?
God yearns for every single person to experience Him-He is not exclusive.
If you've ever felt as if you aren't special enough to experience God, then soak up these words right this second: you most certainly are. You are made in the image of God's likeness just like every other human being. You are made to love and be loved.
Has the Gospel ever been about anything else?
Our God is first and foremost, big enough to reach all people. To limit Him to 'special Christians' that experience Him in 'certain ways' is flat-out exclusive. Secondly, our God is colorful and more imaginative than any human mind could ever dream, so to limit His love and ways of loving is demeaning to His character. We cannot put God in a box, and quite frankly if we as believers keep trying to I do believe He will burst out victorious-and it won't end well for us. To quote Jerry Taylor,
'God is like electricity. If you try to contain all of that power, that dang outlet is going to explode!'The only issue that arose in my mind when pondering all of this and discussing these questions and concepts with others is in regards to the Holy Spirit. Does God choose to speak to some and refrain from others?
The answer came from the God-given wisdom of a friend: the question is truly a matter of semantics (wording).
God works in everyone's life-anyone can experience God, and anyone can 'hear' from the Holy Spirit. The logistical form in which this happens may vary depending on the way a person is wired. That's not to say 'hearing' from the Holy Spirit is dependent on a person, but rather God made each person different from one another so that His creativity and diversity can be shown. It's beautiful how He is able to reach some people through His still, small voice. It's also beautiful how He reaches people through the written words on a page, or by bringing emotion in response to a song, or through the spoken words of another person when a message of truth is spoken. The Holy Spirit is not limited to looking, hearing, or sounding one way, necessarily speaking. Does He speak to the quiet parts of some people's souls in the form of words and whisperings? I believe so. Does He also speak to the intellectual parts of some people's brains in the form of accurate truth or intentional devotion? I believe so.
Every person shows a love for God in their own way-neither is right or wrong. They're simply different. Some people connect through intimacy and emotion. For others, it's through devotion and thankfulness to the God who has saved them.
If you've ever wondered why you can't hear God like (seemingly) everyone else around you, then I want to share two truths with you. First, God is revealing Himself to you-even if it looks different than how He is revealing Himself to someone else. Secondly, the Holy Spirit moves in everyone's life. We often forget that His main role is not to speak. One of my best friends correctly pointed out that the Spirit's main role in the life of a believer is to bring conviction-not only of sin but simply of revelation of light. This is the Spirit's overall role: to shed light in our lives when darkness seems to be overwhelming. This takes forms in many ways-a still voice, conviction of sin, guidance in decision-making, empowerment of love, excitement, joy, and endless other ways.
Many believers are 'heart-based' Christians, following God because of their feelings and emotions. Others are 'head-based', thriving in the truth that comes through knowledge. As I mentioned earlier, I believe a common middle ground is to be found. We need to base our beliefs in knowledge as well as experience, with neither end accusing the validity of the other.
One last point: though I do not at all advocate the judging of another's faith life, I most certainly stand for discernment. Where is the line drawn when it comes to experiencing God? Is there a line at all? How do we know the validity of what is God and what isn't?
I'm still trying to figure this last point out, to be quite honest, because discernment is a tricky area. I do think, however, we can pinpoint biblical principles to provide us an answer.
Throughout the Bible, one standing truth is clear: no act matters to God in any way without a real heart behind it. Sin is a heart problem, and so any act done or word spoken is meant to be out of a pure, genuine, and honest heart. When it comes to discerning anything I believe that heart must be the focal point. The book of James tells us that true faith will manifest itself through it's works-not that any person's works would be to please God, but rather every person's works would be to thank God out of a loving and grateful heart. When we are using discernment, we must look to the Biblical attributes of God. Is peace at the center of (fill in the blank)? Is love advocated here? Are attributes of joy, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness evident? God wants realness. He wants sincerity. These are what we must dwell on-things that are lovely, noble, and true.
Here is the most significant aspect of this entire post: the Gospel at it's core is about the person of Jesus Christ. Belief in Him is what salvation is all about. He is the example of how to live, and He is the only One we should be following. His life is the only one we should compare ours to. His message to all of humanity is to love God and to love others. If our lives aren't showing that, then they are preaching the wrong Gospel.
Here's a bit of encouragement for this heavy post: oftentimes our hurting is unintentional. Many people are so on fire for God based on their own experience that they want every single person to replicate the experience for themselves. We need to remember the calling and purpose of the Church. Sometimes we become so busy spreading the kingdom that we accidentally put ourselves in the center of it all and forget that Jesus is the One who is supposed to be there.
Perhaps the question should be, are we spreading Jesus' kingdom-or our own?
