He Knows My Name
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Quick! What percentage of people in the United States believe in God? That was the opening question at church this week. There was even a poll for us to vote on with our smartphones (so glad I have one now because it was fun to play along) on You Version’s “Live” app.
Yes, I’m purposely babbling so you have time to think of your answer before your see the actual answer.
I guessed 41-60%, thinking that it was probably in the forties. The answer may surprise you. In the poll that my pastor referenced, a whopping 94% of Americans say they believe in God. Are you as surprised as I was? Today’s society doesn’t seem to reflect that figure.
Our pastor went on to say that the 94% reflects what he referred to as practical atheists – people who believe in God, but whose lives don’t reflect that faith. I could immediately come up with a number of people I know who fit that description.
Just as quickly, God pricked my conscience and I realized that I didn’t have to look much further than the seat I was sitting in, however. Ouch.
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self‑control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God– having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. – 2 Timothy 1:3-”
“Having a form of godliness, but denying it’s power.” I think I’ve mentioned being guilty of that before. Proud? Sometimes. Boastful? Um, occasionally. Ungrateful? Ouch. Way too often. Unforgiving? {ahem} Without self-control? Rash? This is getting personal.
Our pastor went on to say that practical atheists know who God is, but don’t fear Him. A lot of people get hung up on the idea of fearing God. It conjures up images of hellfire and brimstone pastors yelling at you from the pulpit, rather than a God of love.
Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. – Psalm 33:8
Fearing God doesn’t mean being terrified of Him, rather it is a holy reverence for who He is. It is an awe of the God of the universe, the God who spoke the world into being, and the God who holds the power of life and death in His hands.
That God – the One who created a universe so vast that our minds can’t comprehend and the atom so small that we can’t fathom – the God knows my name. He knows my name.
He knows your name. And, He loves you so much that He knows the number of every hair on your head.
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. – Matthew 10:30
Have you ever had one of those moments when you were so excited to be recognized by someone you considered significant? Maybe your boss’s boss called you by name in a meeting. Or maybe your favorite A-list blogger commented on your blog or replied to you on Twitter. (C’mon, tell me I’m not the only one who gets excited about stuff like that.)
What is that compared to the fact that the God of the universe knows your name? Not only does He know your name and my name, He sent His Son to die for your sins (and mine) because He loves us that much.
How can we know that and not let God completely transform our lives? He’s been working on me a lot over the last few months, but I know I’ve got a long way to go. I want Him to change me, though – not just change me, but completely transform me into the person that He wants me to be.
What does it mean to you to realize that God knows your name? Are you willing to let His transforming power change your life?
Kris Bales is a newly-retired homeschool mom and the quirky, Christ-following, painfully honest founder (and former owner) of Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers. She has a pretty serious addiction to sweet tea and Words with Friends. Kris and her husband of over 30 years are parents to three amazing homeschool grads. They share their home with three dogs, two cats, a ball python, a bearded dragon, and seven birds.
Such a great reminder this morning. I believe with all my heart that what I believe about God directly impacts everything in my life. But you are so right, so often we still live differently than what we believe!
Ouch. I think we are all guilty of this. Sometimes it’s a minute-by-minute struggle for me!
Kris,
This is powerful stuff. 2 Timothy 1:3- brought to my mind all the people in my life and all the people I see on TV who seemingly love to be sinners. I then got down of my high horse and realized I am all of those things. How sad, but a good reality check nonetheless. I want to be transformed, and like you Kris, God has been working on me so faithfully in the last 2 years. I’m no saint, but I’m trying and I believe that’s key.
Yeah, I’m painfully familiar with the view from atop the high horse…and I’ve got plenty of bruises from being knocked off of it. It’s an ongoing learning process.