Oct 7th, 2020: Encounter with God
How many close encounters do we have in life? Some of us have come close to being struck by lightning. Some of us missed a terrible accident by just seconds. Others have come close to death due to serious illness. Some might talk about how close they came to be nominated to run for office.
As we experience these close encounters, we might also become aware of how close God has come to us. It is hard for some of us to understand the concept of having a close encounter with the Living God. How does that work? You might ask.
A) A comforting voice of a dear friend: I am always grateful when I am working through some stuff in my own life or my work, a friend would call out of the blue. He (she) might not know what I am dealing with, and yet told me that he (she) is prompted by God to make the call. Some people have mentioned to me that these are pure coincidence. Well, divine coincidence is a form of having a close encounter with God. By the way, when we stop praying, coincidences stop happening.
B) A dream that wakes us up in the middle of the night: Dreams are powerful, and sometimes God uses them to break through to us. Sometimes our consciousness would block our ability to hear God. Dreams become new channels of communication. We talk to God about stuff that we would not even think about sharing with others. It can be unsettling, and yet it is freeing at the same time.
C) A sound of music: nothing can bring more joy and comfort than listening to a tune that we know. Many thoughts, many memories, and many sensations are rushing back. It is the chosen time that God reveals to us how he has been with us through different life experiences we have. Sometimes a song can take us back to the beginning of our life as much as we can remember. Sometimes a song can remind us of how much we are loved. Sometimes a melody gives us a moment of deep reflection over our grief and loss.
All of these are our encounters with the Living God when we learn to look beyond what they are.
1 Corinthians 2: 9-10
"but just as it is written,
“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard,
And which have not entered the heart of man,
All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”
For to us, God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God."
