Why do we try to limit God? Because we have limits. Therefore, we believe God does too. We may even believe God can’t do some of the most simple things because we have not personally experienced it. But I challenge you there may very well be something you are doing or not doing to bring about this lack of experience.
I’m certainly guilty of putting limits on God. Yet, when I’m in His Presence, I’m overwhelmed by Him while at the same at peace. The majesty of His glory experienced at the same time as the friendly and approachableness of Him, draws me in. I want to be closer still, to catch a glimpse of this untouchable, yet touchable God. Experiencing these extremes simultaneously only solidifies to me He is God without limits.
All my life, it is God Himself who calls to me: “Come to me. I am gentle and humble in heart.” Closer still I lean in and hear Him speaking to me, Come closer. Yes, come closer still. Come to Me. I am here waiting for you to come close to Me. I am the One who is above all and in all. Yet, I am the One who loves you, adores you, and desires to bless you. Come closer, child.
As I move closer to God, even my tears cannot contain themselves. They steadily flow overwhelmed by Who I am approaching. My head always bows. It cannot not. I mean, my actual physical head just bends forward. It’s as though my head knows this is Thee God.
At the same time, my body often stills itself, unable to move. But my spirit and my soul, as they move closer, light up in awe of His Presence.
Are you familiar with these tear-producing, all body, mind, soul, and spirit experiences with God too?
Why Do We Try to Limit God?
Perhaps you rarely experience God moments like what I just described. Or maybe you never experience them. Could it be you’ve put limits on God? Maybe you don’t believe He’s capable of drawing close to you like I described. Maybe you don’t believe He speaks directly to His children any more. Do you believe He only did that in biblical times?
The Bible is clear, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
If Jesus is the same God today as He was when He talked to His disciples in AD 26/27-30, why do we believe He stopped speaking directly to us in 2022? We are His disciples too. He still speaks to us through the Bible, yes, but also through His creation, and the Holy Spirit. God is without limits.
Yet, too often I hear Christians today chide other believers in Christ when they say, “God said…” Why do we try to limit God like this?
A.W. Tozer said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” (The Knowledge of the Holy)
If we believe Almighty God can only speak to us in one way, through the written Word, we have put a limit on Him. What does come to your mind when you think about God?
Are you putting limits on God Himself?
In His Presence
In His presence is where God speaks, which means we need to be in His presence to hear Him. If you don’t hear His voice speaking to you, it’s possible you are not putting yourself in His presence. Or if you are, maybe you don’t stay long enough to hear Him speak. God is not in a hurry. We are.
In what ways can we put ourselves in His presence?
Three ways I put myself in His presence include:
- Read the Bible daily. In fact, many times I read more than once a day. I’ve especially spent time reading Jesus’ own words in the Gospels, you know, the red-letter words. Those belong to Jesus Himself. I always ask Him to join me, speak to me, open up my eyes and mind and heart to what He wants to reveal to me when I read the Bible.
- Sit quietly with Him. I actually close my curtains, shut my door, turn off the lights, and sit. I don’t read anything or listen to anything. I just sit and then say, “I’m here, Lord. Will You join me? Will You speak to me today?” Then I wait until the Holy Spirit speaks.
- Walk with Jesus. I literally go outside and walk with Him in His creation. Again, I ask Him to join me. He always does. He points out and reveals amazing things to me as we walk together just like He did with His twelve original disciples.
Notice I invite God to join me in these very active pursuits of Him. Notice my actions: read, sit, and walk. I could add other actions I do to pursue being in God’s presence, but God pressed upon me today to share these three actions with you.
Be the Initiator
One reason I believe we put limits on God is because we don’t spend much time alone with Him. We don’t pursue Him. How can we understand more about God’s unlimited ways if we don’t spend much time with Him? How can we experience those all body, mind, soul, and spirit moments if we don’t spend time with Him?
Do you believe He’s supposed to always initiate interaction with you? I know we tend to do that with humans. We often wait for others to approach us rather than being the initiators ourselves. Perhaps we do the same with God, which is another limit we put on Him.
What would happen in your life if for this summer you pursued God Himself every day in real action-oriented ways? Suppose you embraced courage, set down your limited ideas about God, and listened to what He says about Himself, who He is, and what He does?
Imagine you commit to pursuing God Himself this summer.
What if God is saying to you, Come to me. Come closer still. Spend time with Me.? I believe He is calling to you. He wants to spend time with you. Do you want to spend time with Him?
While God will always have mystery about Himself, He regularly reveals Himself to those who desire to get to know Him better. Commit your ways to the Lord this summer and see what He reveals to you as you actively draw close to Him. See what kind of limits you’ve put on God that may not be true of Him.
Revelation Wellness 21-Day Walking with Jesus Challenge
If committing to the whole summer seems daunting, you could start with a 21-day commitment. I have an idea to get you started. Revelation Wellness is once again doing a walking prayer challenge that begins June 13. This challenge is Walking the Words of Jesus: 21 Days of Walking Prayer.
I’ve joined this challenge myself as part of my own commitment and pursuit of drawing ever closer to Jesus. Want to join me? You can.
You can still sign up through end of day June 9. The walks will take no more than 20 minutes each day. While we walk, we get to hear Jesus’ words from the Bible. I find listening to Scripture while I walk to be a holy, sacred time where Jesus walks with me, loving me, and gently teaching me more about Himself. An added benefit is that I also learn more about myself as I learn more about Him.
Speaking of walking with Jesus. I just looked outside. His blue sky and sunshine are calling to me. It’s time to go for a walk with Jesus and let Him reveal any limits I’ve put on Him. He is the God with no limits.
Leave a Reply