[Read the Message version online, click the reference above.]
Paul's preaching about God to the Athenians, let's not skim over it too quickly. Let's sit here for a while on what he had to say. Read the following passage a time or two more:
"The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of the sky and land, doesn't live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn't take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don't make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. ..."Is this the God you know? Does He feel near? or remote?
Do you know Him and trust Him as Master of all He's created?
Do you know He doesn't need a church building? that He's too big to be contained in one?
Do you experience the time and space to seek Him? or do you just feel darkness?
Just like the junkyard of idols in Athens keeping the people from seeking and finding God --- the One true God --- we clutter our lives with gods that keep us from seeking and finding Him, even though He is near.
Family.
Job.
Wealth.
Power.
Entertainment.
Escape.
Busyness.
Relevance.
News.
Politics.
Gossip.
Community.
Fear.
Security.
[Go ahead... add your particular god to the list...]
With so much clutter, it's no wonder we have a hard time seeking and finding God, even though He is the One who is near and makes Himself evident through creation.
Take a moment to determine how you experience God.
If it's different than Paul's exposition, identify the junk in your life keeping you from knowing Him as He is.
He is near.
Take time to seek Him.
De-clutter your life.
He wants to be found.
Father God, help me identify the clutter in my life
that keeps me from knowing You as You truly are.
I want to be near to You.
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