Posted on: Saturday, January 15, 2005

By The Rev. Dr. Roy Gaton

"Let us press on to know the Lord; for as certain as the break of dawn he comes to know us." (Hoseas 6:3)

Pressing on to know the Lord — what a New Year's resolution! At the beginning of each new year, one of the most common activities for everyone is making a list of resolutions. Usually at the top of the list is exercising more, losing weight, taking a vacation, spending more time with family. But how about this one: Pressing on to know God. That means more than a mere acknowledgment of a higher power. It means an ever-deepening acquaintance with him.

As surely as the day follows night, the awareness that God exists will dawn on every soul who wholeheartedly "feels after him" (Acts 17:27). But if one goes no further, this realization fades quickly into nothingness.

On the other hand, if we are earnest, we will not be content with the mere knowledge that God exists. In other words, the more we know God, the more we want to get to know him. Having encountered God, having learned to appreciate his character, we long to know him better. We look forward with eagerness to times of communion with him.

For most people, there is no better time for these encounters than first thing in the morning, after a good night's sleep. It is then that the mind is the clearest and least encumbered by the cares of our everyday lives. For me, this is a very special time at the beginning of the day when I "get to know" my God more.

I would like to share with you a quote that has been very important in my life as a pastor, husband, father and man. It is from "Steps to Christ" by Ellen G. White.

"Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, 'Take me O Lord as wholly thine. I lay all my plans at thy feet. Use me today in thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in thee.'

"This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to him, to be carried out or given up as his providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ."

As you commune with God, may your knowledge of him be profound, intimate and loving.

Roy Gaton is director of spiritual life and pastoral care at Castle Medical Center in Kailua and an adjunct professor of religion at Loma Linda University.