Most of you know that I love languages. I call Spanish my nerdy passion and I enjoying being able to explore other cultures through their use of language.
There are some words that are more easily expressed in one language than another. And some words we don’t attempt to say in our own language, but rather borrow them from another, like “bon apetit,” or “quesadilla.” Not all borrowed words refer to foods, like “déjà vu,” or “Colorado” (meaning red-colored, a description of the river that runs through that state).
Today, I want to introduce you to two different Spanish words for “to know.” Their distinct meanings will help highlight an important aspect of Knowing God.
Saber is to know facts. Conocer is to know personally.
If you were to make a list of the top ten characteristics of God, what would your list look like? While many of us would give a Sunday-school answer and be completely correct in our description, there is a difference between saying that we know something about God (saber) and knowing intimately that aspect of God through relationship or personal experience (conocer).
I know (saber) that God is the author of Scripture, but have I gotten to know (conocer) the living breathing Word of God?
I know (saber) that God is good, but how have I come to know (conocer) His goodness?
I may know a lot of things about God (saber), but am I intimately walking with Him in communication and relationship in order to know Him more (conocer)?
