I hear people say, "I just can't find God." If you have ever felt that way, don't give up. Never stop seeking Him because He longs to manifest Himself to you personally.

God wants us to know Him for ourselves. That's exactly what John was talking about in 1 John 1:1-3:

[We are writing] about the Word of Life [in] Him Who existed from the beginning, Whom we have heard, Whom we have seen with our [own] eyes, Whom we have gazed upon [for ourselves] and have touched with our [own] hands.

And the Life [an aspect of His being] was revealed (made manifest, demonstrated), and we saw [as eyewitnesses] and are testifying to and declare to you the Life, the eternal Life [in Him] Who already existed with the Father and Who [actually] was made visible (was revealed) to us [His followers].

What we have seen and [ourselves] heard, we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have [which is a distinguishing mark of Christians] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
(1 John 1:1-3)

Notice how careful John is to explain: "This is my own experience. I'm not telling you of someone else's experience. I've discovered Jesus for myself. I've seen Him. I'm an eyewitness of Him. I've heard Him. And I'm telling you all these things so you, too, can know Jesus. You can experience Him. You can fellowship with Him."

That is the essence of Christianity—the fact that we can each know, experience, and fellowship with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, for ourselves.

John says this fellowship we have with God is our distinguishing mark. In other words, every time we experience God's presence and sense Him moving in our hearts, it impacts our lives and leaves an impression of God on us that the rest of the world can see.

If you go through the Bible and read the accounts of all the great men and women of God, you'll find that the entire Book is an account of people's experience with the living God.

Running throughout the Scripture is an invisible thread that constantly encourages us:

Seek God. Don't just mentally accept these words as true. Use them as a foundation for your faith, and then step into the experience of God they point to. Seek to know the reality of God's presence in a personal way. Set out on a quest for Him. Wear out the path to Him. You don't have to just listen to others' experiences with God. You can discover Him for yourself.

Copyright © Renewed in His Presence by Lynne Hammond
All rights reserved. Used by permission.