Knowledge can be theoretical or practical, something we know in our mind, or by the experience within our soul. There are many who know about God, can argue the fine points of theology on God, and who write volumes on these topics. Then there are those who know God, by lived experience, by the power in their heart, the spirit in their soul, the hope they maintain and the passion they live by.
The 18th century spiritual writer Jean-Pierre De Caussade speaks of this distinction and says it is fire and not the philosophy or scientific knowledge of fire that warms us...if we wish to quence our thirst, we must lay aside books that explain thirst and take a drink. Caussade goes on to explain our moment is the one presented to us in the here and now, in how we handle it, how we divinize it. Book learning is good. But it is not enough.
It's a challenge for us to take our knowledge and make it real through silent meditation; take that meditation and make it alive though daily acts; take those acts and make them fruitful through reflection. All done in search for a deeper understanding and relationship with God.
We all want to know more about God. The greatest knowledge comes by putting the book aside, and quenching our thirst with God himself.
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