Lately, I’ve been in a hot pursuit to know God. I don’t want a recycled experience or a fleeting moment in His presence that fades the moment I dismiss from church, or conclude my morning prayer. This God-hunt of mine really began to surge about two years ago. After being raised in the church, sleeping under the pews and attending service after service, I had always brushed the glory of God. Throughout my lifetime I’ve had significant encounters with God that changed my heart, caused deep conviction and shaped my faith. However, a deeper desire for His presence has emerged, and I simply can’t ignore it.

God created man to know Him. Sadly what many consider a relationship is nothing more than religion, and ceremonial duty. Pentecostals are not exempt. Our doctrine or creeds don’t give us a license to become dry or stagnant. When we turn encounters into monuments, instead of a lifestyle, we forfeit God’s true desire—intimacy.

Remember what Jesus said, “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Mat. 7:22-23). Praying, healing the sick, and prophesying does not equal relationship. The word "knew" Jesus uses literally means to “recognize” or “become fully acquainted with”. When these people come to Jesus, He says, "I don't recognize you or have any acquaintance with you."

Everything we do should flow from our relationship with God. Our fruit should be a byproduct of knowing Him. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). In other words, “If you know me intimately, you’ll know what I like and don’t like. You’ll be in tune with my heart.” My greatest desire is not to become a better preacher, a better writer or a better leader—but to become a better friend. I want to feel the heartbeat of God. I want what He wants.

I can’t let the ink dry on this writing until I recall Philippians 3:10. This scripture has become my anthem. “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” The word "know" that Paul uses (Greek, ginōskō) means to be aware of, to feel, to perceive, to be resolved in, to speak with, and to understand. The issue I see is that the modern church, directly or indirectly, makes the corporate gathering of worship (Sundays, conferences, camps, revivals, etc) the pinnacle of their walk with God. However, it really should be a launching pad to something more extraordinary in your daily life. The reason it’s so hard for people to take home what they experience at church, is because we pump in so many additives that what we have these days are supercharged, entertainment-based services.

A contemporary or cool worship service can be comprised of: velvet-voiced worship leaders, stage lights, ambient lighting, smoke machines, amplifiers, jumbo screens, praise dancers, flag teams, choreographed platforms, video arts, and much more. Then we say, “Take this experience home with you”. Really?

I don’t have a problem with using technology and creative methods. I simply have a problem when we make this the summit of the Christian experience. The reality is, knowing God requires that I get unplugged, and stripped down of everything that embellishes my own tastes more than God. The reason many people struggle to know God everyday is that we’ve taught them that a church event is the coolest thing in the world. Whereas God thinks the coolest thing is when you’re in your car (or wherever), with no music or production, and you’re worshipping Him with a broken heart and contrite spirit.

The true pinnacle of our walk with God, is not in a corporate setting of worship, but knowing God in the privacy of your life. That’s where God marks you. That’s where He whispers. Paul’s craving to know God was an intimate pursuit. My hope is you and I share the same passion.

God forbid we become like the generation in Judges Chapter 2, which says, “When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel. Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served the Baals” (Judges 2:10-11).

Let’s awaken this generation with a passion for God!