Growing Deeper With God

For years I'd done it.

Played the part. Acted the bit. Uttered the words. 

But something was missing. Only, I {Mandy} didn't know it. 

It wasn't until the past two years of feeling God tugging on my heart and my beinning to bury myself in His Word that I realized my faith, my life was shallow. 

It wasn't as if I intentionally forged a relationship with Christ that I didn't have. In fact, I've had a relationship with Christ since the age of 13. I relied on Him to carry me through some of the darkest years of my life. I know I love Him and I know I am His child. 

What I didn't realize was that my faith was very surface. My understanding of who God is was deeply skewed and not deeply rooted. 

It wasn't until I began really studying the Old Testament (particularly Genesis through Leviticus) that my eyes were opened at how small of a box I put God in. 

Suddenly, within the past month, I feel like I woke up from a long, deep slumber. 

Dramatic? Maybe, but so was the realization that God is as just and fair as He is loving and merciful. 
It was so easy for me to associate His sovereignty with kindness and mercy, and not focus much on His justice and righteousness, which is portrayed clearly in the Old Testament. 

I shied away from verses displaying the consequences of those who had strayed far from Him. I couldn't reconcile the compassion of Jesus echoed throughout the New Testament with the God of the Old Testament who I felt was harsh.

Diligent, purposeful, intentional study of God's Word, mixed with open and honest prayers asking for wisdom have brought me to a closer relationship with the Lord. There are still so many questions I have and things that I don't understand, but I feel I am closer to God now, and that our relationship is deepening. 

Do you want a closer relationship with the Lord? It's as simple as asking God to draw you to Him. He will meet you where you are and give you wisdom as you study His Word. 

Father, please fill us with a passion to know You better. Please open our eyes to insights about You. Help us to understand Your full sovereignty and guide us into a deeper relationship with You. We praise You. In Jesus name, Amen. 

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