“Train up a child in the way he should go. Even when he is old he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
Women are often referred to as ‘gatherers’. I can vouch for its truth since my childhood memories are filled with my mom’s ‘gathering’ of us as a family. I was raised in a Christian home. My mother would often gather us together for fellowship, prayer, bible reading and devotions. Today, though far apart, we still reunite in prayer, thought and spirit. In this post, I am honoured to share my brother’s musings on “Meeting God”.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” – Matthew 5:8
In order to hear His voice speaking in the depths of your spirit, there is one fundamental condition when we first enter into the presence of God, and that is a pure heart.A heart that conceals nothing, a heart that harbours no vengeance, bitterness, hatred or denial of any kind. A heart that forgives those who have done us any wrong or injustice in the past and in the present. A heart willing to obey and also open to correction just as a child obeys its mother or father.
“Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of God.” – Matthew 18:3
Childlike faith is key!
We desperately need to understand that we cannot consult or contend with God in the delusion that He is our equal or just someone we turn to when the going gets tough. That, my dear friend, is only using God to further our own selfish interests and wicked agendas fuelled by hurt, pain and bitterness. Yes, immediately the heart says, “But there’s no wickedness in me! How dare you insinuate that! The psalmist puts it perfectly in Psalm 139 verse 23 to 24; “Search me o God, and know my heart, try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
He must be acknowledged as God above all else and that, we are as a mere worm before His presence. At that very moment, He makes Himself known to us through the Scriptures. Moses’ first encounter with God was at the burning bush and before any conversation began, Moses was instructed to take off his sandals, because he was standing on holy ground (Exodus 3:5). Although God is love in the true sense of the word (agape), he is to be feared. “For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion” (Romans 9:15).
Fearing God, leads to wisdom and once we have wisdom as our companion, the path through life becomes illuminated before us, guiding and guarding us along the way.
“The path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day.” – Proverbs 4:18
– Musings by Ashley
Blessings everyone!
2 responses to “Meeting God”
This made me think and reminisce about my childhood and upbringing, and the importance of a solid foundation.
That no matter what life throws at you, if your parents laid a solid foundation of truth, love and kindness among other things, you will somehow always have that to fall back on no matter what. I think our family managed to instill that in all of us as children and I find comfort in knowing that. Even if we sometimes take the “road less traveled” we always find our way back “home”
Celebrating life:
“We all eventually find our own path towards the light. We sometimes manage to move with great swiftness and surety of foot, and other times with immense difficulty, but once we begin our journey and we have set our sights on higher ground, we do indeed understand our true potential, even in times of doubt.
On this journey we often pass by those in need of our guidance, and too often ignore their cries for help, forgetting that we had also once been there, and only needed an encouraging heart to steer us clear of pending dangers.
The forest is dark and thick with strange disguises, coming to you with persuasive promises and making it all the more difficult to stay focused on your true self. Ultimate freedom and joy is achieved in the knowing of self, and the understanding, and acceptance that it does all get harder with time. Like any intriguing experience, for that there is this, the more perilous the journey, the more you grow, and the more you grow the deeper your foundation of truth is laid.”
Thanks for an interesting read.
Stay blessed…
Thanks for sharing Michael. Agree, one’s upbringing plays a vital role in navigating this life. Eternally grateful for wonderful parents. Blessings to you xo