The Way
I wish to try to explain the process that has got me out from the boggy jungle I mentioned just yesterday.
As I read scripture with the desire to know Jesus better, to grow closer to him, I sensed Him speaking to me with love, as He spoke to Peter who had begun to sink as he walked on the water:
“Immediately, Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. ‘O you of little faith,’ He said,’why did you doubt?’” (Matthew 14:31).
I recalled that I only needed faith as little as a mustard seed, and I knew I had that much – I believed He was at work in me and that healing is in His presence, though I couldn’t see it or feel it right then. I declared that together we would get through this jungle and back onto dry land. Saints of old taught that the most valuable spiritual lessons and growth occur during times of adversity. Reading Hebrews 2:10, I saw that even Jesus was made perfect through suffering! Then I went on to read:
“Therefore, fix your eyes on Jesus . . .” (Hebrews 3:1).
I went back to reading Matt. 14, where people brought their sick to Him and those who touched His cloak were healed. I responded, “Surely, I am near enough to touch your cloak!” and it was like a light went on in the darkness of the jungle, so bright that I couldn’t see the oppressive encroaching vegetation any more – All I could see was Jesus – not as a man, but a presence. (It’s hard to describe.) And I suddenly knew in a deeper way what Jesus meant when He said, “I AM the Way . . .” There is no path apart from Him. I had been looking for Him to show me a path to follow. But He IS the path. I sensed Him saying,
“In me, you will never die. With me, you will live the abundant life, no matter the circumstances. In me, you are lifted above it all . . .”
I guess this is what an “epiphany” is. I have a totally different outlook now – outward circumstances haven’t changed, but I have. Perhaps if I had not felt lost in the jungle for a few weeks, I would never have seen Jesus in quite this way. The misery of the past has telescoped into a moment of memory while the glory of the present stretches out into the future.
Funny, that.
By the way, thanks for your prayers. God is good!
God is amazing. Just on Friday we read an old hymn that said “let pain and suffering do their work”. As we sang it lots of us just about choked on those words, but they’re so true. I want to be like Christ and it’s a path of blood that he took and it’s our path too. All the pain disappears in his eyes. Thanks Sylvia
WOW!
As sometimes happens with us, our communications were garbled. When you asked if I read your Blog & I said yes, it was yesterdays Blog I had read. I guess that is why you didn’t actually say much to me about this “epiphany” experience.
Any way, I am really pleased & blessed by you & by what God is doing in our lives right now. I’m so glad I came back here to read (I thought re-read) your blog posting.
Thanks for sharing & loving.
Just Me – with love