When Michael turned four, it was time for him to start sitting with his mother in church services instead of attending the preschool care. After a few weeks of observing the hour-long services of songs, prayers, and my teaching, he had an observation.
"I know what your job is, Daddy," he told me over Sunday lunch.
"Oh?"
"Your job is to tell people about God."
"Well, that's right, Michael. I'm a pastor, and my job is to tell people about God."
"Daddy?" he continued.
"Yes, son."
"It takes a lo-o-o-ong time to tell people about God, doesn't it, Daddy?"
Well, I guess the boy was right! When your job is to tell people about God, there's a lot to say.
But the opening line of the Apostles Creed gathers up all the Bible says about God in a single sentence: "I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth." In that statement I confess that God is my Maker, my Ruler, and my Father.
That's worth a closer look this Sunday. We'll close our seven week citywide "Explore God" campaign with the question, "Can I Know God Personally?"
By the way, we want to know how the "Explore God" campaign has impacted you. Did it settle a question you were wrestling with? Did you get into some interesting conversations in the community? Did you make a decision for Christ? Send your impressions and stories to my assistant, Jami (jami@hbcaustin.org). I'll prepare a newsletter column from the reports.
I've enjoyed studying the "Seven Big Questions" with you. And this last Sunday of the study series may be the most important. Many people are willing to say, "I believe in God"--and what they are saying is, "I believe God exists." But our goal should be to know God. To have a relationship with him. To "improve our conscious contact with God" as those in recovery groups put it. A.W. Tozer once said, "I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing after God. He waits to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us he waits so long, so very long, in vain."
Bring a friend this Sunday @ 10!
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