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Is God Really There?

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There must be something more than a little wrong with me, because I still laugh at knock knock jokes. I know - I know, they're annoying and stupid - but there's something about them that is strangely addictive. They're like the train-wreck-that-you-can't-look-away-from of humor.

Here are some of my personal favorites:

Knock Knock.
Who's there?
Cash!
Cash who?
I didn't realize you were some kind of a nut!

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Hawaii .
Hawaii who?
I'm fine, Hawaii you?

Knock Knock.
Who's there?
Duane!
Duane who?
Duane the bath, I'm dwowning!

By the way...have you ever heard this one?

Knock Knock.
Who's there?
God.
God who?

Neither have I. Mainly because this is no joke, and the answer you put in says a ton about you and your world.

When you think about it, God actually is knocking at the door of the universe. The Bible explains it this way:

"The truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature." (Romans 1:19-20)

When you see an incredible sunset, spend time amazed at the sight of a billion stars hanging in space, or even take a few moments to contemplate the incredible complexity of a human being, you are hearing the sound of God knocking.

Isn't that the coolest thing?

It's not like God is ducking out, playing some cosmic hide and seek game. Not only is He knocking through His creation, He gives us the answer in His word! This is why I just don't get people who make finding God out to be some sort of grand mystery. Here's how my conversation would go with them:

"Ohhhh, that I might find a way to know God!"

"Ummm....read His book."

"Yes but ohhhhh, if He would only show Himself to me!"

"He did...you can read about it in His book."

"Of course, but ohhhhh, that God gave us clues as to what He is like!"

"HELLO! READ...HIS...BOOK!!!"

So people have two choices in this knock knock scenario. When we ask: "God who?", we can:

1. Answer our own question with inconsistent and indefensible theories like "God is an impersonal force" or "God is whomever you want," or "God is a figment of my imagination."
2. Shut up and listen. I mean really listen - and tune in to the truth.

The truth is that there once was a man who asked God the "who's there" question right to His face. Here's how it went:

But Moses protested, "If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, `The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,' they won't believe me. They will ask, `Which god are you talking about? What is his name?' Then what should I tell them?"

God replied,

"I AM THE ONE WHO ALWAYS IS." (Exodus 3:13-14)

Basically God told Moses to let His people know that He was going to be knocking on their door, so Moses wants to know what to say when they ask: "Who's there?"

"I AM"

This is the foundational answer to the question of who God is and what He is like, so let's take a closer look at what this means.

When God tells us that He is "I AM" or "I AM THE ONE WHO ALWAYS IS," He means that He is the all-powerful Creator of the universe. If anything existed before Him, or if He had an actual beginning, He couldn't very well be God. This also means that He is outside of time and space, which is why He can be everywhere at once and how He knows everything there is to know.

Pretty deep stuff for a knock knock joke, wouldn't you say?

There is one more thing behind this amazing title of "I AM," and it's a critical piece of information that every Christian needs to know. This name that God gave Himself tells us that He is a personal God. In other words, He's not some distant deity who is uncaring, unfeeling, or unsympathetic. You would think that being God and all would keep Him very busy - too busy in fact to even notice (much less care about) folks like us. And even if He did desire a relationship with people, it would probably just be the important ones. Billy Graham? For sure. Presidents, popes, performers, and pastors would make the cut as well.

But me? Right...

Actually, it is right. God calls Himself the "I AM" - the personal God. He's the One who cares about us so much that He has the very hairs of our head numbered (Luke 12:7). He's the One who carries a picture of us in His HUGE wallet. He's the One who, if He had to, would go so far as to die just so we could spend forever with Him.

And He did.

This is what you need to remember when you are feeling the drain of an impersonal world with impersonal people. Here's the way an awesome writer named Louie Giglio put it:

I'm providing for others. Who is providing for me?
I AM.

I don't know who's on my team.
I AM.

Nobody is listening to me.
I AM.

I'm not strong enough.
I AM

I'm not...I'm not...I'm not... but I know I AM.

So now you have the answer to the knock knock situation - and it goes like this:

Knock Knock.
Who's there?
I AM.
C'mon In!

Head: What you need to know about this truth

God called Himself "I AM" which means He is eternal, all powerful, all-knowing, and personal. Because He is personal, He knows me intimately and loves me unconditionally.

Heart: What you need to feel about this truth

This truth can be summed up in a single phrase that you need to memorize and remember whenever you are discouraged or afraid. Write this down and put it somewhere you can see often:

I am not...but I know I AM!

Hands: What you need to do about this truth

One of the saddest things in the world is that there are people who hear God knocking on the door of their hearts, but they don't know how to answer. Our job is to tell people about "I AM" so they can spend eternity with Him in heaven. My guess is there are at least one or two people in your life who are asking "God who?" - and you need to tell them! You know how much God cares about you - they need to know how much God cares about them. Click on this link to learn the GOSPEL Journey, then share what you've learned with those who need to know!