The God Who Initiates

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am El-shaddai—'God Almighty'.' Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life."

Genesis 17:

In most pagan religions, human beings initiate relationship with the gods, usually by offering sacrifices in the hope that the gods will respond favorably. But the true God does not wait for us to approach him. Rather, he initiates relationship with us by revealing himself. Thus our faith is not a shot in the divine darkness, but rather a response to the light of God's self-revelation.

Yet God does not reveal himself to us simply that we might know who he is. God makes himself known to us so that he might have relationship with us, so that we might live our lives in service to him.

God continues to make himself known to us today, in Scripture, in sacrament, in service, in the Spirit. He initiates a relationship with each of us individually so that we might know him, serve him, and love him.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How has God initiated relationship with you? How have you responded?

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, how wonderful that I don't have to pound on heaven's door in order to know you. You have made yourself known to me in so many ways, most of all in Jesus Christ, who embodies all that you are so I might know you and live my life with you. Thank you, gracious God, for initiating relationship with me. What an amazing thought . . . that you seek relationship even with me!

All praise be to you, O God, for being the one who initiates, for reaching out to us in love and grace so that we might know you, serve you, and love you. Amen.