“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” Ephesians 1:18-21
I was snorkeling off the shore of one of the Bahamian islands a number of years ago. It was a most picturesque and peaceful time. The still blue-green water of the Caribbean with a mask and snorkel — perfect! I spent a good hour or so just floating on the surface looking at the sand below in waters only four feet deep or so as it was well known for the many sand-dollars. Every now and then a needle-fish would zip under me or schools of little silver fish would flash by — really hard to describe how cool it was. But after a while, something just didn’t seem right. Ever have that feeling? It had been well over an hour, I stayed parallel with the shore so I knew I hadn’t drifted far from there, and everyone who had come with me was off doing their own thing. It was just me, God and the fishes of the sea! But I felt like someone was staring at me. That’s really an uneasy feeling when your bobbing in the ocean like a cork thinking you’re all alone! It was very unsettling — for good reason — I slowly lifted my head and what I saw straight in front of me took my breath and I managed to put my swim in full reverse. There were three — THREE — Barracuda starring directly at me, moving their mouths — filled with teeth mind you — open and close. I was done — through — out of the water — snorkeling had come to a close!
I often reduce my experiences with God down to a feeling — some kind of sense of His presence. I think you know what I mean — when your reading or singing and a chill goes up your spine. God? When someone says something you needed to hear. God? When you barely miss the biker you never saw as you pulled out of the parking lot. God? When you have this feeling. God? We certainly can’t deny the involvement of something or someone that stirs, reminds, provokes or prevents.
But how would I know if God really moved? Would it be a swift breeze to the back of my neck? Would it be the wrestling of the branches on a still morning? Would it be a red-bird that lands in front of me? Would it be a miracle over the impossible? Maybe.
Paul knew! When your heart opens to the understanding of Christ in you, all sorts of moving can be felt. It’s the little glimpses of truth, flashes of God’s fingertips on your life that spark with knowing . . . God just moved! When His glory merely twinkles in the time of this place it overwhelms our being. It’s stirring!
And Paul says to the Ephesians, when you open your heart to understanding who you are in Christ . . . you begin to KNOW the hope, the riches, the incomparable GREAT power in Christ alone!
Oh, my God! Lord, Jesus, how majestic is your name in all the earth! That I would see just a small glimpse of you moving in my life, in my world, demonstrating your great love like I have just seen is overwhelming! Thank you for extending just a glimpse for I’d dare say I am not capable of seeing the fullness of your glory!
. . . His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth. His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden. Habakkuk 3:3-4