The Unknown God: Discovering the Creator We Were Made For

In the bustling intellectual center of ancient Athens, a city boasting over 300 gods and goddesses, stood an altar with a curious inscription: "To an Unknown God." This humble acknowledgment of the limits of human understanding opens a door to explore our innate longing for connection with the divine.

We are all chosen to believe. Every human being, from the moment of conception, carries within them the capacity to believe in something greater than themselves. This universal yearning manifests in various ways across cultures and throughout history. Even in a polytheistic society like ancient Athens, the presence of an altar to an unknown deity reveals a profound truth: our minds, experiences, and even our most advanced technologies cannot fully satisfy the deepest questions of existence.

This brings us to a pivotal realization – we are not just chosen to believe, but created to receive. Within each of us exists a God-shaped vacuum, strategically placed at the very control center of our being. It's not merely a peripheral aspect of our lives, but the core from which everything else flows. This vacuum cannot be filled by addictions, ambitions, or worldly pursuits. It waits to be occupied by the presence of the Creator Himself.

The story of the Apostle Paul's encounter with the Athenian philosophers on Mars Hill beautifully illustrates how this truth can be presented to those seeking answers. Rather than immediately dismissing their beliefs, Paul skillfully used their own cultural references as a bridge to introduce the concept of the one true God.

Paul's approach reminds us of an essential principle: before we can effectively share our faith, we must first understand and empathize with the worldview of others. He began by acknowledging their religiosity and their search for truth. Then, step by step, he dismantled their polytheistic beliefs while simultaneously revealing the nature of the Creator God.

Consider how Paul addressed some of the major Greek deities:

1. Nyx, the goddess of night, feared even by Zeus for her power to engulf the cosmos in darkness. Paul countered with Genesis 1:1-2, showing how God spoke light into existence, effortlessly overcoming the primordial darkness.
2. Chaos, the primordial void believed to have birthed the universe. Again, Paul pointed to Genesis, revealing a God who brought order from formlessness and filled the emptiness with His creation.
3. Typhon, the father of monsters. Paul may have drawn from Psalm 74:13-14, which poetically describes God's power over sea monsters and the Leviathan, demonstrating His supremacy over all mythical creatures.
   
   

This method of addressing deeply held beliefs with respect while presenting a greater truth is a model we can follow in our own interactions with those of different faiths or worldviews.
As Paul continued his discourse, he made a brilliant move by quoting Greek poets familiar to his audience: "For in him we live and move and have our being" and "We are his offspring." By finding common ground, Paul created an opening to introduce the revolutionary concept of a personal, knowable God who desires relationship with His creation.

This brings us to the heart of the matter – we are not just chosen to believe and created to receive, but we are called to be children who obey. Our status as God's "offspring" comes with both privilege and responsibility. We owe our Creator a faithful response.

The story of Pastor Scott Broughton and his daughter powerfully illustrates this point. When faced with his child's life-threatening illness, Scott angrily questioned God, "How can you let this happen to my daughter?" The divine response was both challenging and transformative: "Whose daughter?" This exchange led Scott to a profound realization – ultimately, we all belong to God. Our lives are not our own, but are entrusted to us by a loving Creator.

This truth should reshape our entire perspective on life. We are not autonomous beings, free to live however we please. Instead, we are beloved children of God, called to align our will with His. This is not a burden, but the key to finding our true purpose and fulfillment.
The invitation of the Gospel is clear: believe in Jesus Christ, the God of heaven and earth who took on human flesh. He died to forgive our sins and rose again, sending His Spirit to dwell within us. This indwelling presence has the power to radically transform us from the inside out, making us into new creations capable of living lives of serving love.

Ephesians 2 reminds us that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead now lives inside every believer. This is not just a comforting thought, but a revolutionary reality that should impact every aspect of our lives.

As we reflect on these truths, we are faced with a choice. Will we continue to worship at the altars of unknown gods – be they career, pleasure, or our own self-importance? Or will we recognize our true identity as children of the living God, surrendering our lives to His loving purpose?

The journey from skepticism to faith is not always instantaneous. For some, like the Apostle Paul, it may involve a dramatic encounter with the divine. For others, it may be a gradual awakening to the reality of God's presence. Wherever you find yourself on this spectrum, know that the invitation stands:

• Believe in the God who created you and longs for relationship with you.
• Receive His Spirit, allowing Him to fill that God-shaped vacuum at the core of your being.
• Surrender daily to His will, discovering the joy and purpose that comes from living as His beloved child.

In a world still filled with altars to unknown gods, may we be beacons of light, pointing the way to the One who is closer than our very breath, yet greater than our wildest imaginations. For in Him, truly, we live and move and have our being.