A One-Word Experience
Something happened to me in January. I had a God-moment.
Doesn’t that term make you cringe a little? Like, duh, all moments are His, aren’t they all God moments? But this is one area where our incredible English language fails us. Equally inadequate is “spiritual experience.” A quick scroll through Instagram will reveal that anything from a gourmet meal to a beautiful sunset to a well-executed concert can be a spiritual experience.
And I’m not doubting anyone’s perception of those sublime moments, when our senses and our surroundings and our interactions with others come into alignment and hum with energy from the Creator. Those times are important. They add meaning and zest to life.
But what I’m describing is something so bizarre, so rare, that it can’t be mistaken for anything else than what it was: a word from God. In fact, I’m even careful who I tell. It was such a personal and special thing, I’m not sure it would mean much to others. It wasn’t for them; it was a word only for me. It was, as Eric Metaxas describes, “the secret vocabulary of my heart.”
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26
The Lord dropped this word into my spirit shortly before my pastor died. The light during that dark time strengthened my faith and proved to me, more than ever, that the end will be better than the beginning. The God we serve is beyond all our expectations.
I want more moments like this! So I’ve tried recreating my environment on that morning. What was I thinking right before it happened? Where was I sitting? Was I being really good, can I earn another one?
But—no surprise—I can’t make it happen. It didn’t come from me, there’s no formula or checklist to work through to set up a God-moment. All I can do is worship Him with my strengthened faith, and listen for Him with this astonished heart.
Even if nothing like it ever happens again, that one incredible word will be enough. But you know what? Since I didn’t do anything to earn one, and there’s no limit to His grace, there will be more God-moments for me and you.
What’s one time your faith shifted from head-knowledge to an astonishing experience? If you can, tell us in the comments; we love to hear these!
- Unity Cafe - October 9, 2019
- When Trouble Comes - May 8, 2019
- Timely Obstacles - January 23, 2019
It seems our experiences with encounters of supernatural God-strength, with me, at least, though often unexpected, they occur right on time!
I don’t want to spoil next month’s post, but suffice it to say…I attempt to describe a recent encounter.
As you know, next month’s topic is “chaos”. I’ll leave it at that.
My hope is for your readers to share their encounters, and in doing so, glorify the One Who orchestrates them.
Me, too, Sarah, I love to hear about them!
I love stories of God-moments! I’ve had a few overwhelming God-Moments in my life, and a lot of little ones. The most recent one I can think of was on Good Friday. I asked God to let me grasp just what Jesus did a little bit more than ever before. Then I opened my Bible and with the first word I read, I broke out in chill bumps and began crying. Which made me laugh because it was so immediate. So then I tried reading again and BAM! Tears and chill bumps. And then right after, laughter. 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing, Cole!
I love that so much! One of my God moments involved “the Bible test”. Woo, gives me chills thinking about its timeliness and specificity, still 😃
They are precious moments, indeed. And I think all the more precious by how unexpected, and yet timely they are. Thank you for sharing this with us!
Love that we are can share the incredibleness of these moments! I had one just last week – I was having a conversation with God – he was answering, I was speaking back to his comments. Not just some good thoughts. Not just some remembered scripture. A voice. Answering me. Having a chat about life. Hard to explain. But so real.
I, too, rarely share these moments as I know some will make sarcastic remarks abut the voice in my head. Yet it was more real than anything anyone can say. Like you, Cole, I have gone over what I did that day in His word so I could replicate it. But…I shall wait on his perfect timing (in eager anticipation!)