Wednesday, May 9, 2012

EXPERIENCING GOD

Sounds great, huh?

We all want to experience God, don't we?

Well, hold on to your hat...

You see, there's a big difference between knowing about God, and knowing God.

After all, it's one thing to read about Mt. Everest, or to watch a documentary about this grand, majestic mountain.

But it's a whole other thing to risk your own life for a chance at the summit.

Have you had those times of mountain-climbing in your life?

Times when you've had decisions or struggles or responsibilities that weigh you down?

Times when fear or doubt or wavering uncertainty washed over you? Times when you felt tossed and turned?  Times when you've gone through terrible turmoil?  (I know the answer is yes...)

I've just completed a study about experiencing God.

About finding and doing God's will.

And over these last few months, I haven't just been in this Bible Study, I've been living it.

I've had many moments when I've questioned myself, second-guessed decisions, doubted direction.

I've often wondered, "Am I doing God's will?"

And here's what I've discovered.  I was unable to find peace until I told God, "I'm going to do what I feel like You're calling me to do - and I trust that You're going with me."

Yes, I continue to feel many, many feelings.  Some are wonderful, others are downright *Jacob-wrestling*...

And that's all part of experiencing God, too.

It is wonderful, exciting - but it's also daunting.

Just like climbing Mt. Everest.

Our enemy does not want us to experience God, nor does he want us to obey Him.  He does his best to stop, deter, thwart, distract us from our path. He could care less about our purpose - he would rather have us feel pity or panic or pride.

He is the sudden snowstorm on the mountain, the blizzard that blocks our view of the summit.  He is frostbite, and the lack of oxygen that muddles our mind.

He is the constantly incessant voice that whispers, "You can't do it."


You know, on this one he's right - I can't do it.


But I know Someone who can.


You see, when you begin to know God, instead of just knowing about Him, He begins to do the work you cannot do on your own.

He transforms your heart and your mind - He gives you the desire and the power to answer His invitation to come where He is working.

Sometimes it's climbing a mountain.


Sometimes it's a leap of faith.


Not gonna lie - the path to the summit is treacherous, fraught with danger, and it requires dying to self...

But I hear that the view from the top is breath-taking!


So what's the mountain God wants you to climb?  What's the view He wants you to see?

I will close with the words of Job:

"I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes."  (Job 42:5)


How is God calling you to experience Him in a new and deeper way?


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God"

4 comments:

  1. I wish that I knew where He was calling me right now. I have the spiritual atlas out and keep waiting for him to say, "Head in that direction, Debbie."

    My favorite part of this was how you called Satan frostbite. That was just perfect.

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  2. This spoke to me today, Sharon, tying in with a message series our pastor is doing. Sum it up it is on self deception, are we deceiving ourselves with our words, actions, abusive habits, etc and not being where God wants us to be. I searched my heart if there was anything holding me back and when I was in Mark today reading about the storm and Jesus asleep while his disciples fretted for their safety, it did dawn on me what my self deception is. Still dealing with that trust issue, LOL, although I say I get it and trust, still dealing with that trust issue, especially in relationship to son. It was another one of those "ouch" moments; eye opening ones. I'm going to work harder on knowing God, experiencing him more, really grasping who he is and not let that pesky enemy help me with my worries and thoughts.

    betty

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  3. Hi Sharon,

    Well said as usual. I do identify with some much of what you write.

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  4. Thanks for talking to my heart sis, love you.

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)