Have you met people who reject their formative spiritual experiences, realizing after examination that they had been deceived? This is a harsh judgment and many who make it end up bitter and resentful. Often they refer to themselves as an ex-(fill in the blank) or in darkly humorous form, a recovering (same). This can become permanent, but such people seem stuck in their development because you can’t define yourself by what you are not. Even if your background was in error, it is still part of the process that got you where you are today. Learn what you can from it and look forward not back. 

Is it important to you to be in control? Do you understand that there is a difference between being out of control and having things out of your control? I am always in control. That is a consequence of my sovereignty. Have you met people with ‘control issues’? They are difficult company because they insist on being in control in areas in which they have no authority. Can you trust me to have things in control even if you are not in charge? This is an element of faith and trust. Those who insist on being in control of all things drive others away and end up diminishing their own circle of real influence. Those who trust me to be in control have the peace that passes understanding. 

My word says that you can know me and so you do. Do you understand that this happens at different levels? For now you see in a glass darkly. Your knowledge of me is sufficient for salvation but the infinite is not fully comprehendible by the finite. Do not be discouraged by this. Look at your life as an opportunity to learn more about me. I long to reveal myself to you in greater fullness, and what do you have to do that is more important than this? Look at this journey of discovery as a continual adventure. You have my promise that it will be successful and you will see me face to face. 

Do you enjoy conversation? Have you ever listened to someone who seemed to have a hidden agenda, who was steering toward his favorite and familiar place with arguments rehearsed in advance? Did you find this to be less satisfying than a real dialogue in which both parties were willing to adapt and go where the conversation led rather than steering it themselves? This type of conversation requires trust, commitment, and openness, and is therefore less common than the former. How would you describe your conversations with me? Are you willing to let go when you engage with me? Come and let us reason together.