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From an Experience to an Encounter

November 11, 2010

Acts 7:31–32

When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and as he drew near to look, there came the voice of the Lord: ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare to look.

It appears that there is a difference between experiencing something amazing…and experiencing an encounter with the living God.

Amazing things catch our attention, they make us want to draw closer, they make us want to get a closer look, to see for ourselves and explore…because our senses are intrigued, our curiosity is piqued and simply put…we are entertained.

However something happens to Moses, when he sees this amazing thing and draws closer to get a better look…he realizes that this is not simply a wonder of nature…but this is the real, powerful, sovereign living God…and all of a sudden Moses doesn’t want to look anymore…in fact he doesn’t even DARE to look.

I think that in the times when I have most meaningfully experienced what I would call a genuine encounter with God…while my heart has been touched, and my spirit encouraged by my loving and caring Father…there also is a sense in which I realize just HOW perfect He is…and how IMPERFECT I am…and there is a part of me that is humbled…quieted….and subdued.

Maybe that’s what Moses experienced here…maybe that’s what was going on…confronted with the raw power of the living God Moses suddenly, starkly realized just how unworthy he was to be in the presence of the Lord of the Universe.

Now I don’t want to sound like I am writing off the power of those amazing experiences filled with deep emotion and joy where God by His grace ministers to our souls and provides encouragement and love…but maybe what I am saying is that if we are LOOKING for those times….we can miss out on some of the most beautiful encounters with God, where we are so aware of His power….so aware of our LACK of power, and so thankful…that the perfect God of creation chooses to call us His children.

May we always seek the living God…in power, in silence, in wonder and amazement but ALWAYS for a greater sense of who He is, and who He makes us to be.

Amen.

Take some time today and remember our friends and family who have fought, still are fighting, and have died fighting for the freedom we enjoy in Canada today.

Lest we forget.

B.

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