18F Does anyone else just want to try to understand God and the world existentially?

[roxvv]

I’ve been feeling quite frustrated with online spaces because it’s so difficult to just find people who want to understand God and the world around them in a light discovery like way.

I understand that everyone relates to God differently, but I don’t see enough people who are simply curious about Him. Not just about traditional values, callings, or theology debates. But are willing to sit in uncomfortable spots and questions just to see where His hand really lays, and to learn.

Does anyone else feel that way? If so, reach out. Because I feel like I don’t fit it anywhere. Especially Christian Philosophy spaces with their intellectual jargon. Ugh, just thinking about it makes my head hurt.

 

[Suze]

I’ve been feeling quite frustrated with online spaces because it’s so difficult to just find people who want to understand God and the world around them in a light discovery like way.

I understand that everyone relates to God differently, but I don’t see enough people who are simply curious about Him. Not just about traditional values, callings, or theology debates. But are willing to sit in uncomfortable spots and questions just to see where His hand really lays, and to learn.

Does anyone else feel that way? If so, reach out. Because I feel like I don’t fit it anywhere. Especially Christian Philosophy spaces with their intellectual jargon. Ugh, just thinking about it makes my head hurt.

So , nice to meet u and I love your avatar , what conclusions have u come to about God and , how did u come to those conclusions ? I'm not 100 percent sure what exactly u r asking so , if u tell me what u think about God and why u think the way u do , that might help me understand your question better .

 

[passion84god]

I understand that everyone relates to God differently, but I don’t see enough people who are simply curious about Him.

In John 17:3, eternal life is described as knowing God and Jesus Christ. It does seem as if a lot of people have heads full of theology in the sense of doctrine, but I wonder how many of us truly know God. It is a question that I have been asking myself a lot lately, and I plan on seeking him diligently in prayer.​

 

[Ceph]

I’ve been feeling quite frustrated with online spaces because it’s so difficult to just find people who want to understand God and the world around them in a light discovery like way.

I understand that everyone relates to God differently, but I don’t see enough people who are simply curious about Him. Not just about traditional values, callings, or theology debates. But are willing to sit in uncomfortable spots and questions just to see where His hand really lays, and to learn.

Does anyone else feel that way? If so, reach out. Because I feel like I don’t fit it anywhere. Especially Christian Philosophy spaces with their intellectual jargon. Ugh, just thinking about it makes my head hurt.

I know what you mean. I just like to see how the grass, the air, all the little details in wood grain, and everything big and tiny, is part of God. There doesn't need to be so many words about it. I've been seeking out his hand on me from my inward parts to my outer parts for a little while now, and contemplating how he works in others to save and direct them.

 

[roxvv]

I know what you mean. I just like to see how the grass, the air, all the little details in wood grain, and everything big and tiny, is part of God. There doesn't need to be so many words about it. I've been seeking out his hand on me from my inward parts to my outer parts for a little while now, and contemplating how he works in others to save and direct them.

Yeah me too. Sometimes I get these thoughts sometimes, that what if I just got lucky? I didn’t go through religious trauma, so I was able to seek God for myself and learn to love Him, but what if I hadn’t?

I know so many people have experienced religious trauma and are unable to even consider relating to God without those memories, and are unable to separate God from us humans trying to hold His essence imperfectly.

It’s quite depressing to think about if religious trauma is what stops someone from being saved because they never got to truly know who God is. But i’m certain God has as much compassion and grace for them as I do. So yeah, i’m still learning how they fit into the puzzle too.

 

[roxvv]

In John 17:3, eternal life is described as knowing God and Jesus Christ. It does seem as if a lot of people have heads full of theology in the sense of doctrine, but I wonder how many of us truly know God. It is a question that I have been asking myself a lot lately, and I plan on seeking him diligently in prayer.​

I think it may be because we don’t put enough emphasis on knowing and seeking God for ourselves. I understand the importance of fellowship and church, but I feel that so many people have substitute that for seeking God in the quiet, on their own. Because when you do, you just start to feel that hunger for more of Him. More for your life than for Him to just come along and save us from all of our problems and give us everything that we want.

 

[Ceph]

Yeah me too. Sometimes I get these thoughts sometimes, that what if I just got lucky? I didn’t go through religious trauma, so I was able to seek God for myself and learn to love Him, but what if I hadn’t?

I know so many people have experienced religious trauma and are unable to even consider relating to God without those memories, and are unable to separate God from us humans trying to hold His essence imperfectly.

It’s quite depressing to think about if religious trauma is what stops someone from being saved because they never got to truly know who God is. But i’m certain God has as much compassion and grace for them as I do. So yeah, i’m still learning how they fit into the puzzle too.

I'm in the same boat. That's why it's of the utmost importance for everyone who believes to read the scriptures for their understanding before all else.
Because of the times, there are a lot of people who operate in the church just because it's a position of renoun and authority, and not because it's Gods calling.

 

[passion84god]

I think it may be because we don’t put enough emphasis on knowing and seeking God for ourselves.

God has always desired to draw us back unto himself. Before establishing the old covenant, he said:

Exodus 19:4​

4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.

While foretelling of the new covenant, he similarly said:

Jeremiah 31:31-34​

31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Genuinely knowing God should be our heart's desire.

 

[roxvv]

God has always desired to draw us back unto himself. Before establishing the old covenant, he said:

Exodus 19:4​

4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.

While foretelling of the new covenant, he similarly said:

Jeremiah 31:31-34​

31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Genuinely knowing God should be our heart's desire.

Wow that’s great news. I don’t think i’ve ever read this before, or at least if I have I don’t recall, but I needed to hear this, thank you.

 

[passion84god]

Wow that’s great news. I don’t think i’ve ever read this before, or at least if I have I don’t recall, but I needed to hear this, thank you.

You're welcome. In modern day Christianity, too much emphasis seems to be placed on the church, which is Christ's body, and not enough emphasis on the head of the body, which is Christ himself. In situations like that, the body can easily become the head, and that is not a good thing.​

 

[Mreal402]

I think it may be because we don’t put enough emphasis on knowing and seeking God for ourselves. I understand the importance of fellowship and church, but I feel that so many people have substitute that for seeking God in the quiet, on their own. Because when you do, you just start to feel that hunger for more of Him. More for your life than for Him to just come along and save us from all of our problems and give us everything that we want.

Scripture is clear we understand the invisible attributes of God through His creation and the things that He made - including His eternal power and Divine nature - Romans 1:20

I think as individuals how that truth plays out and speaks to us is unique and personal - our seeking God and finding Him for ourselves isn't always done the same way, nor revealed in the same manner... its not strict and rigid.

However His truth and doctrine is set and solid I submit - I can perceive and come to a fuller more complete picture of God's character and nature in myriad different ways freely with a fun child like passion. His word is a guide and standard to make sure I don't fall into error due to my limitations - I'm simply a man.

An example would be the truth that God created all things, but He is not His creation - His word is clear He is separate and distinct from His creation and demands we not worship created things. So while I may feel His craftmanship and design while looking at a beautiful stream, He is not the stream I know.

I submit a fully mature believer keeps a child like awe and nature when comprehending and seeks God through ALL interactions and experiences, while also understanding His word prevails over all - we're given His word to protect us.

 

[ArchitectsDaughter]

Good morning
I do understand the feeling of not fitting in. Please allow me to share.
I learnt that during the seasons of not fitting in, God is drawing me closer unto Him. So I spend more time in His presence, reading and studying His Word, praying and worshipping. Having less of the world and everything it's trying to say. Because there are a lot of philosophies and doctrine around. I don't know if you noticed it too, but everyone who can use AI is promoting their thoughts and getting it out there on social media, no matter what it is and whether it is true or not!
But it's in these "alone" seasons that we heal very deeply in ways we cannot heal with everyone else around us, as I can attest to. It's in these "alone" seasons that we learn more about God's character in new and deeper ways. He gives us more "ammunition" if I can call it that, against the enemy, because now we know Him better than before. All this then sustains us once we venture out again. Anyway, this is how it seems to work for me.
I hope this relates to you in some way, letting you know you are not alone in the "not fitting in."
I actually think that we should actually get used to the not fitting in since we are not of this world. This world does not love God, therefore we will have friction and discomfort. Someone said the other day, get comfortable with being uncomfortable, and I think that is accurate for how things are going.

 

[Mreal402]

Good morning
I do understand the feeling of not fitting in. Please allow me to share.
I learnt that during the seasons of not fitting in, God is drawing me closer unto Him. So I spend more time in His presence, reading and studying His Word, praying and worshipping. Having less of the world and everything it's trying to say. Because there are a lot of philosophies and doctrine around. I don't know if you noticed it too, but everyone who can use AI is promoting their thoughts and getting it out there on social media, no matter what it is and whether it is true or not!
But it's in these "alone" seasons that we heal very deeply in ways we cannot heal with everyone else around us, as I can attest to. It's in these "alone" seasons that we learn more about God's character in new and deeper ways. He gives us more "ammunition" if I can call it that, against the enemy, because now we know Him better than before. All this then sustains us once we venture out again. Anyway, this is how it seems to work for me.
I hope this relates to you in some way, letting you know you are not alone in the "not fitting in."
I actually think that we should actually get used to the not fitting in since we are not of this world. This world does not love God, therefore we will have friction and discomfort. Someone said the other day, get comfortable with being uncomfortable, and I think that is accurate for how things are going.

Well said!

 

[Imooooscar]

I tried my best to understand your question but I will tell you I can relate to when you said”people who are simply curious about him.”I say I can relate because i am a curious person that thinks about stuff in the world would have not been here if it wasn’t for him.i also will relate to the uncomfortable questions because when I ask people personally about him,it makes people want to distant from me because of that.i tried my best to understand your struggle and your question but I don’t if you will relate to what I am saying.anyways God bless you Sister

 

[Suze]

I think it may be because we don’t put enough emphasis on knowing and seeking God for ourselves. I understand the importance of fellowship and church, but I feel that so many people have substitute that for seeking God in the quiet, on their own. Because when you do, you just start to feel that hunger for more of Him. More for your life than for Him to just come along and save us from all of our problems and give us everything that we want.

I have to b honest , it seems to me that u make a lot of assumptions about other people and how they don't put enough emphasis on knowing and seeking God for themselves . What evidence do u have for this statement ? I've learned over the years , that people don't always tell u what has gone on or what is going on in their lives and , some people r quite private and shy about opening up about their life experiences and also their religious experiences . We should not make too many assumptions about other people , honestly I've learned that lesson the hard way , more than once . One of the most comforting and reassuring things , for me , is that God knows me and my heart , better than even I do . We never know what is going on is someone's heart or mind , sometimes we don't even know what is going on in our own minds etc . This is why we don't make assumptions about others and their relationship with their God , especially not negative ones . God knows everyone intimately , we barely know our own selves . All I know is that God expects me to b kind to everyone , especially my brother's and sisters in Christ . That is my duty as a Christian , that , and not to judge . I've learned these things the hard way too .