Know-It-All

I love information. I love problem-solving and figuring things out. Tinkering, working through technology, and learning new skills? I'm here for it all. While I don't love math and solving word problems of that form, give me a good brainteaser or an escape room and I'm the gal for the job. I'm not sure what that says about me other than I'm probably a bit of a nerd who is totally comfortable in her own skin.

All said, it's important to learn things for yourself. It's one thing to watch someone build a house or parent a child or fly an airplane. It's an entirely different thing to truly know how to do those things and then go do them on your own.

✨ It is also true with our faith. What we know personally about Jesus and who we say He is with our lives matters. Most importantly, our faith has to be grounded in what we know and believe as individuals, not what we watch someone else live out or speak about or what Instagram or that latest podcast or sermon series says.

Jesus challenged the disciples in this very thing. In three of the gospels (Matthew 16:15, Mark 8:29, Luke 9:20), He asks, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" In my imagination, I see him walking and talking casually with the disciples as he rubs a stalk of wheat between his hands, genuinely interested in their response, but truly asking so that he can ask the critical question next. As he does, the disciples begin to rattle off all that they have heard about Jesus and what other people have said.

Then, Jesus serves up the punch line. Again, in my imagination, I see him stop. Turn directly and look at each of them in the eyes and ask the question—purposefully slowing and emphasizing the word "you". (Can you see it?)

"But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?" (Matthew 15:16 NIV)

Jesus loved the masses. The best of the best and the least of the least. However, in that moment - all he wanted to know was based on the individual. Did the disciples each know Truth for themselves?

They had been around it, eaten miracle lunches because of it, and done miracles on behalf of it, but did they KNOW it for themselves? Did they truly know Him?

When Peter responds with what was true about Jesus, and the personal revelation he had of who He was, I can only imagine the gentle slap on the back He gave Peter and the broad smile Jesus offered him as He said,

"Simon, son of Jonah, your knowledge is a mark of blessing. For you didn't learn this truth from your friends or from teachers or from sages you've met on the way. You learned it from My Father in heaven." (Matthew 16:17 The Voice)

Peter was a know-it-all and Jesus couldn't have been happier.

✨ How We Wait Today:

Fellow Wait-ers, I sense a great urgency in this time in our lives, in our culture, in our families, to KNOW the word of God. To know it for ourselves. To know it and memorize it and eat the daily bread it offers.

Yes! We need encouragement and great teaching, and others to help us learn.

However.

There is a big difference between knowing about God's word and what someone says about it and knowing God's word for yourself. Today, I want to encourage you to open your real live paper Bible or app on your phone and learn God's word and what He says about Himself and what He says about you...for yourself. I'll be doing the same over here and waiting on all the wonders He wants to reveal. Can't wait to hear from you about what He's teaching you, personally.

((Want to read more from Tara and hearing God in everyday moments? Pick up your copy of Waiting On Wonders, 40-Days of Wonder Devotional at Amazon or get a signed, jacketed hardback special edition copy HERE)) ✨