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A Season of Light

Posted in Christmas, Faith, God, God's Salvation, Hope, Jesus, Seeking God, Uncategorized, tagged 1 John 1:5, 1 Peter 1:3b-4, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4a, Christmas, Christmas Lights, God, Isaiah 58:11a, Jesus, John 10:28-29, John 8:12, Light of the World, Psalm 27:4 on December 2, 2013| 10 Comments »

Christmas is a season of lights.

Candles glow and twinkling lights glimmer from houses, buildings, and trees.

People love all the flickering and shimmering! Some spend weeks decorating their yards and rooftops in spectacles of light. If you asked them why, they might be hard-pressed to express more than, “They’re beautiful, that’s all.”

But perhaps it’s more than just aesthetics. Perhaps it’s a heart-response.

Light is symbolic for:

Beauty. Light grabs our attention, whether it’s soft and luminous, or sparkling and dazzling. It can also be refracted into a glorious spectrum of colors.

Safety. Where there is light, we can see our surroundings.

Comfort. A nightlight offers just that for many a child who is afraid of the dark.

Hope. Light gleams triumphantly over the darkness, at the end of a tunnel.

Guidance. Light illuminates the way.

Might it be that people are drawn to the lights of Christmas because the human spirit is drawn to the Light?

Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world (John 8:12). He is Light because God the Father is Light (1 John 1:5).

And the Light of God the Father and God the Son is not merely symbolic.

God the Son is safety, because he offers eternal life. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28-29).

God the Father is comfort, because he is loving and compassionate. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4a).

God the Son is hope, because of his resurrection. He was raised from the dead, and we will be also. “In his great mercy [God] has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3b-4).

God the Father is beauty, because of all his glorious attributes. “I’m asking God for one thing…To live with him in his house my whole life long. I’ll contemplate his beauty; I’ll study at his feet” (Psalm 27:4, The Message).

God the Father is guidance. “He will guide you always” (Isaiah 58:11a).

Christmas lights cast a soft glow; spotlights illuminate large areas. But Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World.” To every person in every corner, he offers his Light.

Let’s make time to linger in his dazzling Light this season!

“Blessed are those…who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord” (Psalm 89:15)!

(photo and art credits: www.onebestwall.com, http://www.moyerlawncare.com, http://www.8thfire.net, http://www.naturewatcher.wordpress.com)

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The Five Senses of the Heart

Posted in God's Presence, Intimacy with God, Meditation, Seeking God, Uncategorized, Worship, tagged A. W. Tozer, Experiencing God, Faith, God's Creative Genius, God's Presence, Intimacy with God, James 4:7, John 10:27, Meditation, Praise, Psalm 34:8, Psalm 45:8, Seeking God, Worship on August 22, 2013| 27 Comments »

Think of the last time you . . .

. . . gazed in wonder at a blazing sunset,

. . . marveled at the heavenly aroma of lilacs or orange blossoms, or

. . . listened to a melody that brought tears to your eyes.

God has equipped us with amazing physical senses, enabling us to experience and enjoy the display of his creative genius.

But physical manifestations are not his only outlet of expression. God also revels in displaying his fullness in our hearts. The question is: how do we become aware of such revelations in the abstract realm of our spirits?

A.W. Tozer presents a possibility in his classic, The Pursuit of God. He suggests we use the senses of our hearts.

The Bible gives us glimpses of how these internal senses might work.

1. TASTE

David urges us to “taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8). That verse reminds me of a father urging his child to try a bite of some new food. “Try it—you’ll like it!” he says.

As Christians, we can “try” God—offer him a prayer, believe in a promise, trust in his love and care. He will not ignore such efforts! When we come near to God, he will come near to us (James 4:7).

2. SMELL

Although Psalm 45 was written as a wedding song, perhaps for King Solomon, it also has prophetic qualities, looking forward to the day when Christ and his bride, the church, will be united forever. Verse 8 mentions the groom’s fragrant robes:

“All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia,” wrote the psalmist.

Think of a favorite candle with a delightful aroma. Do you light it and then leave it? No, more than likely you place that candle in close proximity, so you can breathe in deeply the lovely fragrance and relish the pleasure.

We can draw near to God and relish the pleasure of his presence—the fragrance of his peace, joy, and comfort.

3. HEARING

Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).

His voice represents wisdom, guidance, encouragement, and security. Our primary source for those benefits? The Bible. But God also speaks to his children in other ways: through creation, other people, events, even inner impressions.

Times of stillness are necessary. If every moment is filled with chatter, we will not be able to hear God.

4. TOUCH

Talk to those who have sought God during a crisis and without exception they will attest to sensing God’s presence with them. For me, it’s like a holy heart-hug, infusing me with peace of mind and strength of heart. Not that I am impervious to hurt or discouragement, but the touch of God provides respite and hope.

How? Through praise and worship, especially as I meditate in the psalms.

5. SIGHT

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8).

The verb tense used here is called “future continuous.” The verse could read: “They shall be continually seeing God for themselves.”

I’m reminded of a time Steve and I visited friends at their new home. We turned off a familiar busy street and were almost immediately surrounded by tall trees. The homes were set back from the road, barely visible. The neighborhood was a bit of country set down in the middle of our metropolis.

“Who knew this area even existed?” I said to Steve. He agreed.

We had both passed that street numerous times, but never saw it.

Isn’t that how it is with God? We’re so busy, dashing from one task to the next, we never see God at work around us. We aren’t looking for him so we miss him.

But! When we are attentive for evidence of God’s presence and power, we will see him!

“When the habit of inwardly gazing Godward

becomes fixed within us,

we shall be ushered onto

a new level of spiritual life.”

– A.W. Tozer

* * * * * * * * * *

Thank you, loving Father, that you do expand my understanding as I seek to know you more and strive to comprehend more fully the greatness of your glory. Teach me to use the five senses of my heart to accomplish those goals. With great anticipation, I look forward to the new levels of spiritual life to which you will guide me!

(Photo credits: www.flickr.com (2); www.roshchodeshnewmoon; http://www.canva.com http://www.pixabay.com; www.flickr.com.)

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Posted in Faith, God's Presence, Intimacy with God, Seeking God, tagged Faith, God's Presence, Intimacy with God, Jeremiah 29:13, Romans 1:19, Seeking God on July 8, 2013| 39 Comments »

Seeking after God. It’s a concept we come across frequently in scripture. But God is Spirit; he’s invisible to us. How do we seek after someone we can’t see?

Perhaps we can answer that question by considering the ways we seek a person, who can be seen.

Example #1:

When my husband, Steve, and I are separated in a crowd, it’s quite amazing how quickly I can spot him. Beyond height, hair, and eye color, I know the breadth of his shoulders, the way the hair grows on the back of his head, the shape of his ears. In fact, it’s such nuances as these that draw my attention, even more than the descriptors listed on his driver’s license.

Perhaps our first step in seeking God is to get to know what he looks like, although not his physical Being, since he’s chosen not to reveal himself that way. But as we read his Word, the Bible, we become familiar with who he is. Through frequent, thoughtful study—not occasional reading—we learn about his character and his ways. One guiding question can train us to seek God as we study: What does this passage teach me about God?

Example #2:

Sometimes I find Steve in a crowd when I hear his voice or the timbre of his laugh.

Step two in seeking God: We can listen carefully for his voice, although he rarely chooses to speak audibly. More often he communicates his wisdom and encouragement to us through the Bible, and the voices of wise and mature Christians—spoken and written.

God also speaks directly into our spirits, so we must cultivate the habit of listening carefully for strong but silent impressions. We can ask God to make clear if those thoughts are indeed from him. He will affirm.

Example #3:

I know Steve’s signature. Give me a sheaf of papers with Steve’s name written by different people, and his distinctive style will stand out from the others.

Step three in seeking God: Look for his distinctive signature of wisdom and power in his people and in God-incidents.

Even in creation, “God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made” (Romans 1:19).

Take note of the slow loops of a circling hawk, the graceful curve of a flower stem, the straight, tall sentries of a pine forest. Pay attention to the perfect oval of a ladybug, the teardrop shape of a milkweed seed, or the mounds of clouds in a summer sky. You’ll soon find that God loves variety, pattern, organization, beauty, intricacy, and color. Your heart will begin to respond with wonder and praise for your magnificent, powerful God.

Example #4:

Steve doesn’t even have to be with me, and my thoughts will turn to him. A song, a phrase, a person who reminds me of someone from our past, and I think, “Oh, Steve would like this,” or, “I’ll bet Steve would agree he looks just like So-and-So.”

Just looking down at my new Mother’s Day watch, and I’m reminded of my thoughtful, generous husband.

Step four in seeking God: As we get to know God through the Bible, as we learn to hear his voice, as we see his signature everywhere, we find our thoughts turning to him throughout the day. A song may urge a response of praise. A phrase might prompt a prayer, a person’s gracious kindness causes us to reflect upon his character shining through that individual.

And every blessing should result in gratitude.

Seeking God is an ongoing, progressional process. Awareness of his presence grows slowly yet continually. Perhaps God planned it that way so we always have more delights to discover about our Heavenly Father until we do see him face to face.

Seeking after God can begin with a simple prayer: God, I want to know you more intimately, to sense your presence even though I can’t physically see you. And I want you to be an integral part of my life and thoughts. Nothing could be more satisfying than a close relationship with you. This is what I seek.

That’s my prayer. Will you seek God with me? What steps have helped you to seek after God?

(Art & photo credits: www.experienceproject.com; http://www.luddite1811.blogspot.com; http://www.revelife.com; http://www.finartamerica.com; www.hullquist.com.)

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