The Un(known) God

In eternity past, He saved me, not with promptings or persuasion, but in pursuance of His own purposes. Not for my works which then did not exist, but by His grace and only by grace. 2 Timothy 1:9 (Personalized)

“For in Him we live, and move and have our being;” Acts 17:28 KJV

A paradigm shift can be defined as ‘a fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions.’  I first came across this theory from Stephen Covey in his book Seven Habits of highly effective people where He states that it is a set of beliefs and attitudes that shape how we look at the world.

I also love the concept of the Johari window which is a technique that looks at four panes: Open self (known to you, known to others); The Blind Self (unknown to you, known to others); Hidden Self (known to you; unknown to others); Unknown self (unknown to you; unknown to others). It was designed to help persons better understand their relationship with themselves as well as with others.

Saul’s conversion to Paul was a paradigm shift. Jesus literally stopped him in His tracks. I often ponder on how our view of God informs on everything we do. We can view Him as a judgemental harsh taskmaster, or we can view Him as a loving and merciful God or we can see Him as somewhere in the middle. 

When Paul stood up in the meeting in Athens, he was a changed man. Maybe he knew about God and was fully passionate and zealous to the cause of the Jews but after his Damascus conversion, He knew God. In his discourse, He saw an altar with the inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD and from there he took the listeners on a journey to talk about the God he came to know (see Acts 17:22 – 34)

What does your Johari window of God look like? What paradigm shift have you experienced?

My shift was from seeing God through the eyes of legalism to a loving and compassionate Savior. From seeing a God willing to cast us out for any mistake to a God who tells us to come to Him in moments of weakness. I saw a God of love and mercy and grace and compassion and justice. He sees us as family and would move heaven and earth so that we can be reconciled to Him. Sadly, the stain of narcissism has tainted our view and understanding of God.

How don’t we know? Have we not been listening? Yes, the Lord existed from eternity. He formed the earth, and He sustains it. Our finite mind can never fully and adequately grasp His ways. He will not get tired or weary from protecting or providing for us. Isaiah 40:28 (Personalized)

• “Nothing in or of this world measures up to the simple pleasure of experiencing the presence of God.” Aiden Wilson Tozer

• “Never let the presence of a storm cause you to doubt the presence of God.” - Craig Groeschel
  

• “We cannot attain the presence of God. We’re already totally in the presence of God. What’s missing is awareness.” - David Brenner

• “We rarely think of the air we breathe, yet it is in us and around us all the time. In similar fashion, the presence of God penetrates us, is all around us, is always embracing us.” - Thomas Keating

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for moving from unknown to known to us. Thank You for the hope you’ve given us in Christ Jesus. Help us to see You in Your true light, to listen to the Holy Spirit’s leading and guidance as we navigate this world. Help us to worship You in Spirit and in truth.

In Jesus name, Amen.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 ESV

Be blessed to be a blessing!

K.I.M (Kingdom Inspired Messages)

Author of K.I.M