Since I asked Jesus into my life and heart, I’ve made it a practice first thing in the morning to read my Bible, pray, and have fellowship with the Lord. But the other day, something gave me pause. For a brief moment, I stopped praying and asked myself. Am I really communicating with someone or talking to myself?
I opened my eyes but from where I sat on the deck, all I saw was the flower beds and trees in my backyard. I listened carefully but only heard the birds chirping. I sipped my dark roast coffee but could taste nothing else. The only aroma I sensed was the gardenias in my flower pot. Oh, and I closed my eyes and extended my hand. No touch met mine. The obvious conclusion was I can’t see, hear, taste, touch, or smell God. Yet the Bible is filled with scriptures that talk about His presence with man.
1John 1:5 “God is light, in him there is no darkness at all.”
Psalms 107: 9 “For he has satisfied the thirsty and filled the hungry with good things.”
James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadow.”
John 3:16 “For God so love the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
So how can I know Him and have fellowship with Him if I can’t connect to Him with my senses? Here are a few ways.
God’s instruction about His will and our lives comes through His word. Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
God can be known through His creation: a beautiful sunset, the Grand Canyon, the forests and rivers in Washington state where I once lived, and the exquisite construction of a lily.
God can be known through other people: a kind and loving friend who shows up at the right moment when help is needed, a prayer partner, the pastor of one’s church who preaches a word truly needed that week, an innocent child filled with wonder when discovering something new.
Best of all, though I can’t see or hear Him now, I know that someday I will be able to, and I await that day in joyful anticipation.
“For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face.” 1Corinthians 13:12
Dear Lord, please help me to become more and more aware of You in my daily walk. By faith, I love and trust You and treasure fellowship with You. Amen.
What a comfort to share fellowship with God.! He loves us and He knows our thoughts. I am so happy we can share every moment with Him. 🙂
Melissa, your faith boosts mine. Thank you, my sister.
I understand what you’re saying. I was saved at eleven and I was so exhilarated I floated to the car after church. I heard my dad whisper to my mother,”She’s too young to know what she did.” I was appalled at his unbelief but I knew I would have to change my ways to prove my sincerity. Three graduations later I was still on fire for Jesus but in my own shy way. I surrendered my life to missions. The first time I heard the Lord’s voice I was making the bed. He said, “Kathy, it’s time to go to seminary.” I met my husband at the seminary and we worked happily with the deaf and the blind for 7 years. Soon, a new pastor dismissed the old church staff and we were the first to go. The silent Lord opened many doors to help us start over. The second and last time I heard the Lord was when I almost raised my hand to vote “no” against a man who wanted to be our minister of music. I heard the Lord say, “Kathy, the church doesn’t need him but he needs this church.” My hand fell like a rock to my side. I think because I obeyed His voice, the Lord blessed me with His wonderful presence that still lingers. I don’t need to hear His voice anymore because His presence and His Biblical word speak volumes.
Kathy, what a beautiful testimony of your experiences with the Lord. Indeed, He did speak to you in so many ways. the peace you have in your life is proof He does and that He’s real. Thanks for your comment.