Want to know God?

Want to know God?

Lake Highland Baptist Church, Birmingham

Robert Fulghum wrote a best-selling book several years ago titled “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” This book communicates the idea that at young ages, children are taught fundamentals that will benefit them in their learning processes. The basics are simple and understandable; once a foundation is established, one can build and expand his or her knowledge.

To modify Fulghum’s simple message to fit a spiritual viewpoint, we might consider a title such as All I Really Need to Know About God I Learned in Children’s Sunday School. My earliest recollection of learning who God is comes from children’s Sunday School. I remember my teachers sitting in a circle with the class singing, “Jesus loves me, this I know …” I knew that God loved not only me but also people of every skin color all around the world. That we were all precious in His sight was plain to me.

Though I could not see or hear God, I knew He was with me and watched over me. I had no idea of complex doctrinal issues concerning the nature of God. My thoughts were solely centered on God’s love.

As God revealed Himself to me as my Savior when I was young, I developed an interest in learning more about His nature. I discovered that not only did God love me but He also wanted to be in a personal relationship with me. I found that God was close to me in times of need. In times of crisis, He guided me and gave me strength. In times of struggle, He encouraged me. In times of loss, He took me by the hand and walked with me through dark valleys. In times of great joy, He shared in my celebrations.

All of this knowledge that I have of who God is started with my sitting in a little wooden chair among friends singing about His love. First John 4:7–8 tells us to “love one another because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.” God desires to be in a personal relationship with us. It is our choice to allow God to have a prominent place in our lives.