This morning, my dear friend, Shawna, and I had a chance to chat briefly over the phone. She mentioned that she realized how it was possible to live the full life that was discussed over this weekend’s conference. In her case, it is fulfilling her call to share her living faith in the resurrected Christ. Shawna described how alive and fulfilled she felt when she facilitated the Alpha course and how she couldn’t wait to continue the program this Fall. I added that she probably felt so euphoric and she felt as if she was floating on air. I then asked if she felt stuck and frustrated when she couldn’t share her faith.
You may wonder how I know what Shawna is experiencing. No, it’s definitely not because I’m a psychic. I know because I experience the same.
What would you do if you met someone who loved you more than anyone else in your life? What if this someone was with you when there was no other words to describe the anguish you were feeling and he was there when you couldn’t reach anyone else? What if that person consoled you and understood what you were going through and gently helped you stand once again. What if this person encouraged and taught you to believe in yourself and he gave you the inner strength to face what you had always ran away from. And what if that someone was willing to help anyone else who is struggling in the same way you once struggled. Would you not want to run around and tell everyone that he/she could have the same?
Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (Acts 17:11) Not only does He want us to have life, but He wants us to live it to the full!
This weekend, we were told to live in our heritage. Shawna mentioned that, often times, the speaker ends there, failing to explain to the others what they are missing. If you could hear Shawna express the love, the joy and the peace she experiences, you could very well say that she was so “smittenly” in love and she has fallen head over heals over her lover. In fact, that is exactly what she is experiencing!
What many fail to understand is that many of us who are filled with the Holy Spirit experience the same loving, personal and intimate relationship Shawna experiences with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. As we spend more time with the Father, we hunger for more.
In her book “An Arrow in His Hand”, Maria Vadia writes “This is how a personal relationship with the Lord is developed and nurtured: spending time with Him daily. This is how a friendship is cultivated. This is is how we fall in love with Jesus more and more. As this friendship and intimacy develops, the Lord promises to show us His covenant and we learn to recognize His voice. We transition from servants to friends…’No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing: but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.’ (John 15: 14-15) ..It is in that place of intimacy that we are changed and transformed; that’s where we hear His voice and we receive His vision and guidance; that’s from where His power and anointing flow. …No wonder the enemy tries hard to keep us away from spending time with the Lord!”
Regardless of how much Shawna and I would want you to share our experience, we can only point you in that direction. An intimate and personal relationship is required between you and Jesus alone. Unfortunately, we can’t do the work for you. He wants to know you intimately Himself.
May the Father give you the grace and the faith to say “yes” to His invitation to come to know Him personally and may He enable you to live your life to the full.
God bless,
Melissa