Bible Truth for Everyday Life

Do You Long for a Fresh Encounter With God?

The maples stood barren—kind of like they were waiting for a fresh breath from heaven.  Gazing into their spindly arms, I realized my soul felt much the same.  I want to live by faith and not feelings, but there are seasons when I crave a fresh encounter with God.

My mind returned to a crystal clear Tuesday evening years ago.  In a single instant, I learned more about God and love than I’d gleaned in a whole lifetime.

After nine long months of suffering through a debilitating diagnosis of hyperemesis gravidarum (mostly couch-ridden and sipping sports drink to stay hydrated), Bekah was born after 14 hours of labor that resulted in an emergency C-section.

Nothing about the day went as expected. I didn’t expect my water to break five days before my due date. I didn’t expect my body not to go into labor on its own, warranting an induction. The emergency surgery wasn’t on my radar.

And when they brought her to me, wrapped her in her striped hospital blanket, I didn’t expect the visceral flow of love to pour from me as it did. I didn’t know I was capable of that kind of love or that such love even existed. 

Redefining Love

I cried often throughout our first few weeks together.  The tears flowed because I couldn’t believe the love God placed in my heart for her. My desires to protect, nurture, and care for her were stronger than anything I’d experienced.

During those early weeks of Bekah’s life, the power of the cross captivated me in a new way. There was absolutely no way I’d send my daughter to die in anyone’s place. Ever.

God’s willingness to send his Child to die for me completely transformed my perception of his love.

Throughout my life, I’ve battled with the feeling of not being good enough.  I’ve faced lies that tell me rejection from other people means I’m less-than.  I know all about the ongoing feeling that I simply don’t measure up.

Most of us face these thoughts at some time in our lives.

For nearly a decade, I listened to messages from well-meaning Christian leaders who talked about finding our identities in Christ. They said things like, “You are a beloved child of the Most High God. You are precious and dearly loved.”

The women around me cried and rejoiced at their newfound identities.  Meanwhile, the words kept getting lost between my mind and my heart.

A Fresh Encounter With God:

Things changed when I held my own child. I experienced love I’d never known.  I realized God loves Jesus far more perfectly than I can love my child, and yet he sent him to suffer and die so I wouldn’t have to receive his punishment for my sins.

The heart of my identity is this: God loves me so much that he sent Jesus to die for me (Romans 5:8).

When you need a fresh encounter with God, remember the cross.

Friend, are you longing for a fresh encounter with God?

You might feel tempted to pursue an emotional experience.  We can encounter God through experience, but God also wants us to learn to encounter him simply by standing on an unchanging truth.  God demonstrated his love once and for all when Jesus died on the cross for us.

When I long for an encounter with God's love, I simply need to step back and consider the cross. #encounteringGodintheordinary #encounteringGodslove Click To Tweet

God loves us so deeply that he sent his Son to a place of agony for us. Encountering this truth is the quintessential encounter.

When you need a fresh encounter with God, remember how much you are loved.

I don’t love anyone enough to send my child to suffer and die on a cross for them. How deep his love truly is that God would make this sacrifice for me, for you, and for the world.

Understanding the depth of his love transformed my identity. When I begin to feel less-than, left out, or not enough, I think of how much I love my children. Then I ponder God’s love for me, to send his Child to die in my place. I know this is real love.

I know I don’t need to please others, measure up, or be someone others admire because I am loved deeply by my Father.

~~~

Do you long for a fresh encounter with God?

You don’t need a goosebumps experience to encounter him.

Simply remember the cross.

God loves you so much that he allowed his Son to be punished for your sins.  He offers you the gift of eternal life with him.  This is love.

An Invitation for a Fresh Encounter With God:

Does the idea of slipping away to a beautiful place to recharge and refresh sound inviting?  Space for Your Soul to Stretch is your personal invitation to create space to rest in God’s presence.  You need only 12 minutes per day for this 8-day journey.  Each day invites you to encounter God’s created world and spend time in his written Word.  You will walk away from this journey replenished and refreshed each day.   It is my free gift to you by clicking here.

 

I’m passionate about equipping others to encounter God in powerful and life-changing ways. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me hiking, jogging, exploring wild places with my three young children and husband, leading small groups, and mentoring younger women. A certified special education teacher, I am on leave from the classroom for a season of chasing frogs and playing in creeks with my little ones. Most of all, the compassionate love of Jesus has forever ravished my heart, and I'm emphatic about making his love known to the world.