“I want to know Him” (Phi.3:10)

Do you remember being asked as a child, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” The standard answers were usually a doctor/nurse, teacher, policeman, lawyer, or some role model from either a family member or TV personality. Yet as the years rolled along and we have worked in our respective fields, raised our families and now move towards the “golden” years, life’s priorities take on a different hue. We have sifted out the things that we may have deemed important at one time but no longer hold the same allurements. If asked that question today, my answer would no longer be wrapped around the things that I want. It would be simply this. “I want to know Him.”

In what way? How would you want to know Him? Isn’t it enough to know Him as your Saviour? I will always be immeasurably grateful that He showed me mercy, when I deserved only judgement. He did for me what I could not do for myself. He took me “out of the dominion of darkness and brought me into His Kingdom.” My sins, though many, have been completely forgiven (Col. 1:13-14; 2:14). He welcomed me into His family, called me His son and, like the prodigal clothed me with the finest of robes. But I was like a child learning to walk (I Jn. 2:12-13). I knew that I couldn’t stay in the nursery. There was so much more for me to learn.

He began to teach me that evil is not a vague concept but is personified in angelic beings who chose the path of treason and rebellion, who had set their wills against God (Is.14:12-17; Ez.28:12-19). He showed me that men, by nature, are not followers of God but serve under this “prince of the power of the air”, doing things contrary to the will and glory of God” (Eph.2:2-3). He taught me how “to discern good from evil, through His word” (Heb.5:14); how not to become a casualty of war by “putting on the whole armor of God” (Eph.6:10-18); how to “train my hands for war, my fingers for battle” (Ps,144:1). I learned how to maintain vigilance through the word of God and through it overcome the evil one (I Jn.2:13-14).

As I have moved more towards “the golden years”, though I have not left the fight, my eyes become more fixed on going home, to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem; where angels gather in festal robes. I am looking forward to spending time once more with those I have known, whose names are registered in heaven (Heb.12:22-23). I want to see how the place prepared for me has been decorated (Jn.14:2). But more than all this I want to see Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant (Heb.12:24). I want to tell Him personally how so very grateful I am for what He has done for me but I suspect, in that moment, words will fail me. It will be enough, this sinner saved fully by His grace, to be in His presence. To be finally home.  

The word that came to me also goes out to all who will listen and respond. Call upon the Lord while you still have breath in your lungs. He is merciful and full of compassion to all who will seek Him with a contrite heart.

Blessings!