“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”John 8:32 (NIV)
I want to tell you the story of something I did about 55 years ago. At camp in the mountains, I knelt down in my room and prayed a simple prayer. It went something like this:
“God, if there is a God, I’m open to you. If you exist, I want to know that you exist. And, Jesus Christ, if you can change my life—if you can give me a better life—if there is a purpose for my life, I want to know it. So, God, if you’re real, I want you to make yourself real to me.”
You know what happened? Nothing.
No bright lights shown down. No angels came into the room. I didn’t hear the “Hallelujah Chorus.” Nothing happened. I didn’t get a quiver in my liver. No goose bumps. I didn’t get emotional. It was just okay.
But that was the turning point of my life. Why? Because finally I was open to the possibility of God. And I was no longer biasing myself against God. I wanted to know the truth, even if it was inconvenient. And that was the turning point of my life.
It had nothing to do with emotion. It was a simple, logical, rational decision: If there is a God, I don’t want to miss out on him. And if he has a plan for my life, I certainly don’t want to miss that. Instead of being closed to God and biased against him, I became open to the possibility.
What about you? Do you have an attitude of openness to God? Even if you’re a believer, it’s possible for parts of your heart to become closed to God’s truth.
But an openness to God says, “I want God’s truth more than anything else. I want God’s truth even if it’s uncomfortable.”
Our postmodern culture often says we can’t know the truth. But the Bible teaches differently. Is it possible to know truth? Yes! Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32 NIV).
Your heart may have been closed to the possibility of God. Or maybe you’re a Christian who’s been keeping some parts of your heart closed off to God’s truth. Today’s the day to let God know you’re open to the truth. It’s time to be set free.
Rick Warren is an innovative pastor, renowned author, and global influencer known for founding Saddleback Church, the Purpose Driven Network, the PEACE Plan, and Hope for Mental Health. He has written several best-selling books, including The Purpose Driven Life, which has sold over 35 million copies in 200 languages. Time magazine named Warren the most influential spiritual leader in America and one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Since stepping down from the lead pastor role at Saddleback in 2022, Warren has continued to inspire people through his Daily Hope Devotional and podcast Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope. His first book in a decade, Created to Dream, was released in April 2023.
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
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