The Great I Am : Letting God Reveal Himself

The Way, the Truth, and the Life

Lately I’ve been thinking about why God asks us to trust Him.

Not whether He asks us to trust Him—that part is obvious throughout Scripture.

Trust Him.

Follow Him.

Obey Him.

Walk by faith.

But why?

Why doesn’t God simply tell us everything at once?

Why does He so often ask us to take the next step before we can see the whole picture?

The more I study Scripture, the more I wonder if God’s goal is not merely to get us somewhere.

Perhaps His goal is to reveal Himself.

Jesus said:

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”

I’ve heard that verse countless times, but lately I’ve found myself slowing down and asking what it actually means.

Jesus didn’t say He would show us the way.

He said He is the way.

He didn’t simply teach the truth.

He is the truth.

And He didn’t merely give life.

He is the life.

What if those statements are connected to the way God works throughout Scripture?

What if God is not merely trying to lead us to a destination, but into a relationship where we come to know Him?

Scripture tells us that God is love.

If that is true, then His will is always best.

Scripture tells us that God is all-knowing.

If that is true, then His directions are always right, even when I don’t understand them.

Scripture tells us that God is all-powerful.

If that is true, then He can enable me to accomplish whatever He asks me to do.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that trust is rooted in who God is.

And that brings me back to obedience.

Not obedience as a way to earn God’s love.

Not obedience as a performance.

But obedience as an opportunity.

When I trust God enough to obey Him, I create space for Him to work in my life.

And when He works in my life, I get to see more of who He is.

Other people do too.

Perhaps this is one reason God so often asks for faith before understanding.

Faith creates the opportunity for experience.

And experience deepens relationship.

I wrote in my notes that being obedient allows God to work in my life so that others can see Him and believe in Him.

The more I think about it, the more I think that may be true for me as well.

As I watch Him work, I come to know Him better.

Not merely know facts about Him.

Know Him.

There is a difference.

I can read that God is faithful.

Or I can watch Him prove Himself faithful.

I can read that God is my provider.

Or I can watch Him provide.

I can read that God is my peace.

Or I can experience His peace in the middle of circumstances that should have stolen it.

Maybe this is part of what it means that God is the Great I AM.

The names of God throughout Scripture reveal something about His nature, character, and activity.

And often those names become most meaningful when they are experienced.

The more I think about it, the more I wonder if “I AM” is not merely a name to study but an invitation to discover.

I need wisdom.

He says, “I AM.”

I need strength.

He says, “I AM.”

I need peace.

He says, “I AM.”

I need comfort.

He says, “I AM.”

Not because He always changes my circumstances, but because He continually reveals Himself to be what I need within them.

Perhaps this is why relationship matters so much.

Relationship keeps me close enough to recognize His voice, trust His leading, and watch Him work.

And maybe that brings me back to where I started.

Jesus is the way.

The way into relationship with God.

Jesus is the truth.

The truth about who God is, who we are, and what life is really about.

And Jesus is the life.

Not merely because He gives life, but because knowing Him is life itself.

The more I think about it, the more I wonder if God’s invitation has never simply been to follow instructions.

Perhaps His invitation has always been:

“Child, let Me love you and reveal Myself to you as I work through you.”