If we reflect, we are children of God who possess the universe—trillions of galaxies, each with hundreds of billions of stars or suns, and each sun with many planets—all of which show that all power is in the Father’s hands. What then do we lack? What are we seeking in this life? What is the value of fleeting earthly wealth and pleasure? Let the church not become merely a religious activity that fails to truly motivate people to encounter God, because its leaders have not encountered Him. Being able to preach, lead an organization, and carry out ministry can continue—especially in a religious society like Indonesia, where being religious is seen as an obligation or necessity, and God is often positioned as a means to obtain physical blessings.
Praise God if He awakens us so that today we can change and choose to follow the Lord Jesus rightly. Let us seek and experience God. Let us challenge ourselves: if we believe God is alive, we must experience Him concretely. The Lord allows various struggles and heavy problems, but through them He teaches us to prove that He is alive. When we dare to give up fleshly pleasures—though our fleshly mind resists; when we commit not to look back and not to long for the world—there will be something we feel is lost within us. Yet precisely there we prove that our God is alive, when He replaces everything with joy and peace that surpasses all understanding—experiences that cannot be explained but must be personally lived.
Many questions are not easily answered. But if God is alive, He can speak. If God promises to be with us until the end of the age, and that promise is given in the context of Jesus’ command, “make disciples of all nations,” then He can teach us. Let us question this honestly and be willing to hear His truths directly from the Great Teacher. We will experience God supplying wisdom that never runs dry. Therein we prove that our God is alive.
Walking with the Lord—living in daily encounter with Him—makes the fog before our eyes seem to lift so we can see the Kingdom of Heaven by faith. Encountering God makes us content to sit at His feet for hours, even when He seems unresponsive. We know He is most glorious and has the right to act as He does, and we must feel worthy to be treated thus. We can sit quietly for hours, even if God seems not to respond, yet remain at ease in His presence, saying to Him, “Lord, I believe in You.”
Each of us must learn. This is not only for clergy or pastors. Every Christian must learn, for each of us is a child of God who will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven and glory with our Lord Jesus Christ. Encountering God makes us willing to suffer and to do anything for God’s pleasure. We long for achievements whose value endures when we close our eyes. Imagine someone who lives unpleasing to God and is then called into eternity—this is no five- or ten-year penalty that can be reduced, but eternity separated from God forever. We must fear that.
Nothing we possess in this world truly matters. We are God’s children who will inherit glory with Jesus. That hope sanctifies—and it is true. Jesus said, “Do not rejoice because you can cast out demons or perform miracles; rejoice because your name is written in the Book of Life and you will inherit the Kingdom of God.” If we truly grasp the hope contained in our calling, we will be willing to leave everything. Yet many do not dare. They excuse themselves, “Others do it too—what harm if I do as well?” or “Just this once, next time I won’t.” In the end, they never truly break free from those sins.
We must dare to leave the love of the world. Encountering God will lead us to true Christianity—not merely a religion but a way of life: how we live as God’s children, and God as our Father. There is no life more beautiful than a life transformed into children of God who can delight His heart.
We must dare to leave worldly affection. Encountering God will lead us to true Christianity—not merely a religion but a way of life: how we live as God’s children, and God as our Father. There is no life more beautiful than a life transformed into children of God who can delight His heart.