Encountering the Risen Christ in the Now

The finest prose, the deepest and most profound theological musings, and the most passionate, eloquent, and meaningful of sermons are all grossly and hilariously inadequate in communicating God’s nature, love and power when compared to the fulsome joy and spiritual fecundity that flows from authentic encounter. Revelation, rejuvenation, refreshment and fullness of life flow organically, easily, and extravagantly from encounters with Christ, encounters that allow us to experience the very real presence of God, in the now.

It radically redefines reality, and yields an intimacy with Him that taxes and defies our vocabulary’s best attempts to express it. It brings the scriptures to life as Jesus leaps from its pages into our consciousness and present experience.

This encounter is not reserved for the mystic or only the most holy among us, it awaits all those who answer Christ’s gentle rapping at our heart’s door, opening it and welcoming Him in to sup with us. How do we answer His beckoning call? How do we open this door? “Come close to God and He will come close to you …” (James 4:8 NASB).

An act as simple as turning our thoughts toward Him, of quietly breathing out His praises, or gently declaring to Him our love and gratefulness, thanking Him for His mercy and grace, His compassionate, careful, and tender care for us, will find God filling us with His presence, lavishing His love upon us; filling us anew with His Holy Spirit.

This is, I think, what St. Peter hinted at as he wrote “and 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).

Take a moment now, won’t you, to do that; to simply turn your thoughts toward Him, to breath out adoring praise and grateful thanks to the One who loves you so utterly and unconditionally … and experience the glorious reality of His real presence.