Eternal Life

I was reading John 17 yesterday and was surprised by verse 3: "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."

I thought eternal life as an unending life overflowing with the the worship of God--life on the New Earth. So to say that eternal life is to know God seemed strange to me.

Then just now I was lying in bed crying and praying, remembering something Anselm of Canterbury prayed:

"You are my God and my Lord, and never have I seen You. You have created me and re-created me and You have given me all the good things I possess, and still I do not know You. In the end, I was made in order to see You, and I have not yet accomplished what I was made for."

Soon I began to pray, admitting that I honestly know very little about God. I know He sent Jesus to die for me. I know that God loves me. I know that I can't predict what God is going to do. I know His voice is gentle and easy to miss. I know He heals people. I know he makes sure that I have underwear. But that's hardly anything.

So I began to ask God, "Lord, I want to know You. I want to know You." That's when I remembered that eternal life is to know God. Conclusion: Eternal life is life to the fullest and life to the fullest is to know God.

Lord, let me know you! I want eternal life to be now, not just after I die. I know I won't be able to know everything, but even tasting a crumb of who You are brings me to my knees in worship.

God, please forgive me for trying to fulfill my desires on my own and selfishly pursue my own pleasure. I know it only leads to emptiness because it's impossible to have life apart from You. Forgive me for forgetting how beautiful You are; for not worshiping you like a should. I want to experience more of You. I want to give You all I have. My life is Yours. Use it how You want to. I am Your servant, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen!

Let all God's children sing: Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! He Reigns!