Encountering the Risen Christ in the Now
The finest prose, the deepest and most profound theological musings, and even the most passionate, eloquent, and carefully crafted sermons are, by comparison, both inadequate and faintly absurd when set beside the fulsome joy and spiritual fecundity that flow from authentic encounter. God’s nature, love, and power are not finally communicated by language; they are encountered. And from such encounter come revelation, rejuvenation, refreshment, and fullness of life, flowing organically, effortlessly, and extravagantly.
Encounter radically redefines reality. It yields an intimacy with God that strains, and ultimately defeats, our vocabulary’s best attempts at articulation. Scripture itself comes alive as Christ leaps from its pages into our present awareness, no longer merely read, but known, not only remembered, but experienced.
This encounter is not the preserve of mystics, nor the reward of an elite holiness attained by a few. It awaits all who respond to Christ’s gentle rapping at the door of the heart, those willing to open, to welcome Him in, and to sit with Him at table. But how do we answer His beckoning call? How do we open the door?
“Come close to God and He will come close to you…” (James 4:8, NASB).
Sometimes the movement toward Him is disarmingly simple: turning our thoughts toward Him; quietly breathing out His praise; gently declaring our love and gratitude; thanking Him for His mercy and grace, for His compassionate, careful, and tender care. Such small acts of orientation are met with divine abundance. We find God filling us with His presence, lavishing His love upon us, renewing us once more in His Holy Spirit.
This, I believe, is what St. Peter was gesturing toward when he wrote:
“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8, NASB).
So take a moment now, won’t you, to simply turn your thoughts toward Him? Breathe out adoring praise and grateful thanks to the One who loves you so utterly and unconditionally. As you do, experience the glorious reality of His real presence.
