The 20/20 ExperienceSample

"To Know Him: Spend Time With Him"

Over the next few days, we’re going to look a little deeper at what it means to truly know Jesus. There is a difference between knowing about someone and knowing someone, and the difference comes down to a simple truth. You can know plenty about anyone, but you can’t truly know someone until you’ve spent time with him or her.

For instance, I can tell you that LeBron James has won the rookie of the year award, three NBA championships, and was the MVP in three finals and four regular seasons—all within the first ten years of his NBA career. There is no arguing that I know a lot about LeBron James. However, you wouldn’t argue that knowing all those facts translates into me knowing LeBron. And I don’t know LeBron. I haven’t spent one second with him.

You see, knowing someone isn’t about memorizing facts. Knowing someone is about intentionally being with him. It’s easy to forget that our relationship with God is tangible. Our relationships are measured in time spent with people. Why should our relationship with God be any different?

Moses knew this and gave us an example of spending time with God intentionally in Exodus 33. While the Egyptians were in the desert, Moses would set up a tent called the “tent of meeting,” where he would intentionally be with God relationally. Moses created a space where the noise and busyness of life could all be put on hold so that he could know God deeper. Times have certainly changed, but I think if Moses could create space to be with God while leading more than 500,000 people through the desert, we can create space between finals.

Reading Scripture is incredibly important, but without a relationship, it’s just knowledge. God doesn’t want us to just gain knowledge about him; he wants us to be with him. We read Scripture to know God’s character more. We spend time with God to know him deeper.