Leaving the “Third Person” God…

In language, you can refer to someone in “third person.”  Gary Underwood is now referring to himself in third person.  When you talk “about” someone all the time, without any direct address to that person – you are referring to them in “third person.”

Gary likes football.  Gary is finally writing a blog.  Jennie likes to make healthy salads.  Luke is playing with race cars.  Each sentence there refers to these Underwoods in third person.

When you start talking TO someone, language takes on a whole different level.  It’s direct.  It’s personal.  It’s actual communication between you and that person.

Ask me a direct question, like, “Hey Gary, why are you writing a blog?”  That sentence addresses me, means something to me, and might even warrant a response.  This direct-talk, usually including words like “you” – this is called second person.  Talking to someone in the “second person” is addressing them directly.  Keeping the communication open, personal, current, and interactive.

By now, an appropriate 2nd-person retort would be, “Thanks, Gary, for the refresher course on the painfully obvious!  Does your high school English teacher read your blog?”

Well, I wonder if most people only deal with God on a “third person” level.  If they acknowledge Him, it’s not direct.  They’ll use his name and make statements about who God is, what God does, and how God might be to blame for their circumstances.

Even the well-intentioned believers fall into the “third-person” only talk about God.  It’s a pitfall of well-intentioned theology – we learn ABOUT God, but never interact with God.

This week, I’m studying Mark 3:13-19.  Jesus takes his friends to a mountainside retreat.  Mark tells us that Jesus chooses “those he wanted…” Lists each one of them personally, by name.  Mark further explains that Jesus called them here so that “they could be with him.”

Jesus is saying, “I want 2nd-person relationships.  You and me.  Let’s hang out.  Let’s get to know each other.  Let’s talk.  Listen to me.  I’m always listening to you.  I’m interested in your life – past, present, and future.”

The Bible presents a personal God.  He walks with Adam in the garden in Genesis 1.  He talks directly and intimately to Noah, Abraham, Moses, and countless others.  He sends prophet after prophet – speaking directly to His kids.  Ultimately, God sends His Son, gives him the name “Emmanuel,” which means…

God.  With.  Us.

God who we respect as “Him” – wants to be called “You!”  God in the second-person!

Whether you are new to faith, seeking God, or have “been a Christian all your life…”  It’s time to get back to your 2nd-person connection with God.  Ask Him direct questions.  Tell Him what’s on your mind, heart, schedule, checkbook, physical, family – open your life to Him again.

All those times we talk “about” God, and He’s right there in the room.  All-present!  If God was a mere mortal sitting in the room, we’d think it completely rude and uncool to talk about Him impersonally and never directly communicate.  It’s what David says in Psalm 16:8 – “I have set the Lord always before me” – He’s always here!

Those who merely talk about God like He’s some subject to be studied… (and I’m guilty too!)… we are all missing the point. Even to study the third-person God (in a Bible Study or theology class) without prayer and seeking Him personally is doing God – and your study – a disservice!

When you read a verse or a chapter, remember that God is communicating to you in that moment.  Think about what you’re reading.  Think about the circumstances and the main point or what it means, but don’t forget to ask God to show you what He wants you to see and hear in that very moment!

Jesus didn’t come to teach us how to study, how to be clones of someone else, or how to explain the mysteries of life.

Jesus came to be “with us” in so many ways.  He’s all about a second-person, personal relationship with YOU.

In my own life (In the first-person, now), I am learning to do more talking WITH God than ABOUT God.

What about you?