Knowing God, Part 2

'THE MERRY CATHOLIC' -- In-person is way better than long-distance relationship.

Last week I discussed the fact that there is a big difference between knowing about God and knowing God. (Click here.) It’s the difference between reading a book about a person and spending time with that person.

Which of these scenarios would be much more interesting: reading about your favorite athletes or movie stars, or going out to dinner, having face-to-face conversations, and hearing their views, live and in-person?

Well, of course, live and in-person is way better. That’s how we can get to know people rather than just know about them.

The same is true with God. Many folks have studied theology and know a lot about God, but they have never entered into a personal relationship with the Almighty Creator. So, they don’t really know Him.

Last week, I explained it is possible to be in a personal relationship with God and truly know Him — not merely know about Him. When I’ve addressed this topic in the past, people often contacted me with comments such as, “It must be wonderful to be in a personal relationship with God, like you are, Bill,” and, “I wish I could know God the way you do.”

Well, I have to be clear, if I wasn’t last week. I know enough about God to know He wants to be in a personal relationship with us. That’s why I write about this topic. It’s that important.

However, I have to confess that my personal relationship with God is often rather wimpy. I know God and have a personal relationship with Him … at times. But quite often my pride and ego and sin get in the way. As I continue to read a lot, pray a lot, and write a lot about God, I find that I’m carefully keeping Him at arm’s length. It’s as if I just want to be casual acquaintances with the Lord, rather than close friends. Somehow, in the deep recesses of my brain, I have convinced myself that this arrangement will allow me to hide my flaws — like God doesn’t already know them in stark detail.

There’s an old story, which I think originated with C.S. Lewis, about a man who dies and is given two options: he either can enter Heaven and see God face-to-face, or he can attend a lecture about theology. The man chooses the lecture. When most people hear this story, they exclaim, “What a fool!” When I hear this story, I think, Yeah, I can relate.

The closer we get to God, the more his radiant light exposes our weaknesses and short-comings. That’s why so many people prefer darkness. It’s also why saints know they’re sinners, while sinners think they’re saints.

It’s very awkward and embarrassing to reveal your true self to another person. I think that’s why I love the sacrament of Confession — in the abstract. But actually going into the confessional and telling my sins to a priest? Ugh, pure dread.

The irony is, there is only one person in the universe who knows every deep, dark secret about me: God. And despite knowing everything about me, He still loves me. I understand all this … in my head. But in my heart, I struggle to accept it as true and open up to Him. Hence my arm’s length comfort zone relationship.

Many religious authors master a particular aspect of the faith, and then write about it as an official expert. Most of the religious topics I scribble about are ones with which I wrestle. I know they’re important, so I make them the subjects of essays. But that doesn’t mean I’m an expert. Oh man, not even close.

If you, like me, know enough about God to realize that He wants us to enter into a personal relationship with Him, but struggle to make it happen, let’s work on this together. First, let’s learn even more about God, especially that He is our loving and forgiving Father. Next, let’s truly open up our hearts to Him, flaws and all, and take that risky step of making ourselves vulnerable.

Who knows? Maybe someday we’ll be able to write as experts about our personal relationships with God. In the meantime, please know that whatever topics I address in these essays are usually things I’m struggling with. Regarding my journey of faith, I’m not where I want to be yet, but thankfully I ain’t where I used to be.

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(These “Merry Catholic” essays are featured on WJMJ, 88.9 FM, the radio station for the Archdiocese of Hartford, CT.)

AND DON’T FORGET, THERE ARE LOTS OF EXCITING READING OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD ON KINDLE. Click the links:

A Matter of Laugh of Death (Parenthetical Comments from the Back Row)
A collection of published humor columns.

The Gospel According to Morty - And Other Merry Musings on Faith
A collection of faith essays, including the popular short story: “A Connecticut Yankee in King Jesus’ Court.”

The Memoir of Saint Joseph - A Work of Spiritual Imagination
A dramatic and plausible tale about the life of the ‘Silent Knight’ of Bethlehem.