You’ll Find Happiness as You Get to Know God
By Rick Warren
“For my determined purpose is that I may . . . progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly.” Philippians 3:10 (AMPC)
Happiness is found in getting to know God a little bit better every day.
In Philippians 3:10, Paul said, “For my determined purpose is that I may . . . progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly” (AMPC).
Paul became “deeply and intimately acquainted” with God because he had a relationship with him and took the time to get to know him. He understood the difference between knowing about someone and actually knowing someone—and Paul wanted to really know Christ.
You don’t become “deeply and intimately acquainted” with God by accident. You don’t just wake up and accidentally fall into a relationship with Jesus. As Paul says, it’s a “determined purpose.” It’s something you have to do something about. You have to invest your time in it.
One trap that can keep you from getting to know God better is busyness. Just like busyness can destroy your relationships, it can destroy your relationship with God.
Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (NIV).
To grow in your relationship with God, you need to make time for him and “be still.” Just a few minutes of focused time every day can make all the difference in the world. I’m not talking hours and hours but 10 or 15 minutes each morning. Only then will you, like Paul, begin “understanding the wonders” of God with greater clarity.
Make this your daily prayer: “Lord, if I don’t do anything else today, I want to get to know you a little bit better and I want to love you a little bit more.” As you pray and live this out, you’ll begin to experience greater happiness in your life.
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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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