I had an amazing encounter with God that I've been waiting all week to share. National Fine Arts is NOT just for kids! I want to share a moment in God's love that demonstrates a growing union.
There is a special security and warmth from knowing you are loved. I don't mean from being liked or admired or desired. I mean loved, truly loved. We take this word for granted. In true love there is no fear. We read of this often enough from John (1 Jn 4:18). If you're like me, perhaps you've spent hours or even days meditating on the kind of love in which fear has no place. Is it possible to know this kind of love? Can our fragile hearts beating in desperate response to a war-torn world even comprehend it? Can our minds consumed with doubt ever receive it?
In this love, there is no fear of rejection or abandonment. It is a love so powerful and mighty that nothing can separate its union: neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8:38-39).
It is a consuming love: breath is lost by the magnanimity of God's grace! Words will always fail to describe the love of God. It cannot be spoken and understood. It can only be known in the intimate moments of silence when God speaks and we tremble. In this love, there is no doubt because there is assurance of His presence. It is more than a feeling. It is knowledge and it is trust! Cutting to the heart of trust, I wonder how we can ever doubt God, His will, our circumstance, our future, etc. How can we ever be anxious? How can we fear? His love is unfailing. I say that with excitement as much as I say it matter-of-factly. His love is unfailing. But alas! We are not. We are human and living in a world shrouded by doubt and fear. Yet, He never fails to remind us of His love. It is in all that He does and is echoed in the scriptures for those who are willing to see and receive.
God's love is a supernatural gift, one that comes at a great cost: life. You see, my friends, the purest love requires sacrifice--sacrifice of self. I started my journey a little over three years ago painfully pondering how love relates to sacrifice, specifically the greatest sacrifice. When God stilled the violence and fear of my mind, His love manifested in the beauty of the cross. "Do you see how much I love you?" I will treasure that moment when God first spoke. Ever since, my journey has been an awakening of God's unfailing love. The story I'm about to describe is a moment in time when His love was revealed. It has meaning only to me, but I hope that in sharing it will encourage the faith of others.
One week ago, God kissed my brow in the gentlest and most affirming love. I bow in reverence to His majesty and faithfulness. In fact, I am still in awe. In the beginning moments of our first National Fine Arts service, I found myself distracted, unable to focus, and therefore unable to rest in the presence of God. I knew what was happening as I'd been in that spiritually dark place before. I also knew the negative ramifications if this battle were lost, so I fought. I prayed to hear from God, to feel His embrace, and I asked Him a specific question. The question is not relevant, only that you know it was asked. It was an intentional process to regain focus through the service. We made it and I captured some valuable nuggets of wisdom. After the last worship song, before the house lights came up, a woman, a stranger to me, but not to God, approached. She grabbed both my shoulders, pulled me near, and whispered a word from the mouth of God. She spoke the answer to my question fulfilling my request. Again, the answer isn't relevant to this post for it is between Him and me. What is worthy of glory is the response of love. I'm not sure He revealed Himself because I needed Him to or even because I asked. He came because I trusted Him to come. I trusted His love for me. I silenced my soul and my mind and waited for Him. There was neither fear nor doubt because I’m known to Him and Him to me. Similarly, the stranger also demonstrated a measure of trust. What battle of fear did she undergo walking up to a stranger speaking words of little meaning? She trusted God for the meaning and was obedient to His direction. Perhaps in perfect love, there is no fear because there is trust.
This story is but a shadow at the feet of devotion. As I write this post, God has whispered a greater beauty into existence. The sweetest joy is not in the message He sent, though it is of significance to me personally. The greater victory is in the exchange itself, in the trust of a maturing relationship. Three years ago, God knocked (Rev 3:20). I cracked opened the door, peered around the edge, and witnessed the beauty of God. Yet, the chains on the door were thick and rusted. Fear kept God at arm’s length. Today, the chains are gone and the door is open. No longer is God standing on the threshold knocking to enter. No longer am I bound. He has come in and together we reside growing in unity and love. Together, we are overcoming fear and doubt--darkness dissipates as He takes over. Love’s greatest response: consummation, the fulfilling completion of God in us.
Amazing post!
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