Get Real... With God

            There are certain memories I have from my days in college that have stuck with me long after I left. One of those memories was sitting in a leadership class with the president of the university. He told the class that 90% of the things we learned in the classroom we would forget (to which I thought “well lets pack up and go home”). I don’t know if that was comforting or discouraging because I spent hours studying for test material that I would forget. At least he was honest.

            One of the pieces of wisdom I do remember (the 10% if you will) is from a class I took during my sophomore year. I don’t remember the full discussion but I remember that what the professor said has stuck with me till this day. He told us to never be afraid to ask God the big or difficult questions because he is big enough to handle them. I didn’t have big or difficult questions as a sophomore but they would come as I continued through the journey called life.

            One of the biggest problems that we face today is that we are not real. We try to make sure that our lives are in order so that no one sees the flaws we have. People try not to show that their marriage is struggling, or they are facing a financial crisis or a number of other things that would cause others to think less of them. On the outside it seems that they have life all together but on the inside they are desperate, wanting to cry out for help but afraid to do so. We even do this with God where we try to act like we have everything together.

            It may seem scary to take off our mask and be real with God so let me get real and go first. My faith in God has and is not always perfect. I’ve questioned God about hard situations in life. I have yelled at God, been angry with him, and asked him why more times than I could count. There are times I haven’t wanted to talk with him in prayer. There have also been times where I wondered if the walk I had with God was worth it and if I should continue to follow him. Yep, I have dealt with and faced all these things but realize that there is also no reason for me to be phony with God and hide the way I really feel. (Even when I have questioned my walk I realize that it is always worth following God).

            I have come to understand some reasons why I can be real with God. First, I realize that God knows everything and I can’t hide anything from him. He knows my thoughts, when I get up or lie down, and he is familiar with all of my ways. There is nowhere I could run or go to get away from him (Psalm 139). So if he already knows what I am thinking and feeling than why should I hide them from him.

            Second, I have also come to realize that he loves me more than I can comprehend. There is nothing I can do to make him love me more or less. It’s a perfect love. I can love God because he first loved me (1 John 4:19). I know that even before I realized I was a sinner that he loved me and was willing to go to the cross and die for my sins (Romans 5:6-8). I know that his thoughts concerning me are precious and full of love (Psalm 139:17-18) and that even when I am faithless he is faithful because that is his character (2 Timothy 2:13).

            Now it’s your turn. God knows what you are thinking and loves you more than you can comprehend. So can you take the mask off and be honest with God? Can you explain to him the way you truly feel whether you are angry, sad, thankful or happy? It’s ok to let God know (since he knows anyway). He is a big God and he can handle the tough questions. It’s time to get real with God.