Since I began following Jesus, I’ve found relating to Him comes pretty easily. Jesus is approachable, He loves me, died for me, He’s merciful and forgiving. However, relating to “Abba” Father has been difficult for me, probably because I had a rather harsh earthly father, and didn’t have a good relationship with him.
As I was reading the gospel of John, chapter 1 this week, I was so struck by how that scripture glorifies Jesus and declares He is God. Somehow, I have thought of God the Father differently than Jesus. I was reminded of some of the things Jesus said. In John 10:30, He said, “I and the Father are one.” The Jews were so angry in response to Jesus statement, they picked up stones to kill him. They were outraged because they knew Jesus was saying He was God. (vs. 33)
In John 14, Jesus told the disciples He was going to prepare a place for them and would come again to bring them with Him. Jesus said, “You know the way to where I am going.“ In response, Thomas argued that they didn’t know where He was going, much less the way. Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” Phillip pleads with Jesus, “Show us the Father and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Phillip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”
Hebrews 1:3 states that Jesus is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his nature.” Clearly Jesus and Father God are equally loving, accepting, merciful and forgiving. Also, both are equally powerful, from the beginning, sovereign, and holy. If you have a hard time relating to Father God, get to know Jesus and you will know Abba Father.
Monday, January 17, 2011
An Encounter with God Changes Everything
When I was 20 years old, the most amazing thing happened to me. I was partying with a bunch of my best friends, but I felt so lonely I thought I could die. I was not enjoying the drug I had taken. I felt so overwhelmed with loneliness that I kept going from friend to friend asking for some kind of assurance, but it only got worse.
Finally, I went outside by myself, looked up at the night sky, and said, “I am so alone. I’m just so alone. When it comes down to it, there’s no one who really cares that much. I’m just so alone.” Then I heard such a clear voice, not audibly, but just as real, “You have gone so far away from me, you are so far away!” I knew it was God.
The next day after the drug wore off, I decided I was going to change. I even wrote myself a letter of instructions. Even though for the next few months I continued in the same self-destructive life style, something happened that night that changed my course. I began to have a longing for God.
As the days and weeks went by, having decided to change the way I lived, I realized for the first time I couldn’t do it. As much as I desired to be different, I continued doing things, which later, I wished I hadn’t.
My only Christian friend at that time urged me, “Kathy, just talk to the Lord.” So, the month after my 21st birthday, I decided I would try it. I told God, “I would like to follow you, but I’m sorry, I can’t. I’ve tried to change, but I cannot do it.” Looking back on that moment, it was as if God said, “Okay, finally. Now you are talking. What you are saying is true!”
I can’t explain what occurred that day, but God showed up. He had already given me a longing for Him, I told Him I was not able to follow Him and then the most amazing thing happened. I experienced the presence and power of God, and in a moment, He gave me the ability to say, “Yes, I will follow you, come what may.”
That day, Jesus changed my heart and caused me to have an overwhelming desire to please Him. As I went about my day, the sky was bluer than I’d remembered. I felt new, and nothing has been the same since.
Finally, I went outside by myself, looked up at the night sky, and said, “I am so alone. I’m just so alone. When it comes down to it, there’s no one who really cares that much. I’m just so alone.” Then I heard such a clear voice, not audibly, but just as real, “You have gone so far away from me, you are so far away!” I knew it was God.
The next day after the drug wore off, I decided I was going to change. I even wrote myself a letter of instructions. Even though for the next few months I continued in the same self-destructive life style, something happened that night that changed my course. I began to have a longing for God.
As the days and weeks went by, having decided to change the way I lived, I realized for the first time I couldn’t do it. As much as I desired to be different, I continued doing things, which later, I wished I hadn’t.
My only Christian friend at that time urged me, “Kathy, just talk to the Lord.” So, the month after my 21st birthday, I decided I would try it. I told God, “I would like to follow you, but I’m sorry, I can’t. I’ve tried to change, but I cannot do it.” Looking back on that moment, it was as if God said, “Okay, finally. Now you are talking. What you are saying is true!”
I can’t explain what occurred that day, but God showed up. He had already given me a longing for Him, I told Him I was not able to follow Him and then the most amazing thing happened. I experienced the presence and power of God, and in a moment, He gave me the ability to say, “Yes, I will follow you, come what may.”
That day, Jesus changed my heart and caused me to have an overwhelming desire to please Him. As I went about my day, the sky was bluer than I’d remembered. I felt new, and nothing has been the same since.
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