Experiencing God's Presence #190

Experiencing God's Presence #190

As they flew, their wings sounded to me like waves crashing against the shore or like the voice of the Almighty or like the shouting of a mighty army. When they stopped, they let down their wings. As they stood with wings lowered, a voice spoke from beyond the crystal surface above them.

Ezekiel 1:24-25

Ezekiel saw a vision of wheels, majestic angelic creatures, and the glory of the Lord. The wings of the living beings sounded like crashing waves or a vast army in this awe-inspiring scene. The sights and sounds of cosmic activity must have been terrifying for a lone human prophet. But when the Lord was ready to speak, there was a holy hush. The creatures lowered their wings and stood in silence. All was still and quiet.

That immense picture is played out in various ways in human life too. The cacophony of our lives can turn any scene into a seeming chaos—sights and sounds begging for our attention and demanding our energy. The difference (other than the enormous scale of the heavenly vision) is that when God is ready to speak, few people “let down their wings” and stand in silent stillness waiting for the voice that matters. As much as people look, few really see.

Think about it: the scene Ezekiel saw is still going on. The mysterious living creatures still exist. Their wings still make deafening noises. Wheels still turn. The Lord still sits enthroned on clouds and speaks. Be like the prophet and know those scenes. Sense the sacred moments that call for stillness. In the Spirit, you live in spectacles like this. Why? Because you have been born of this Spirit who can overwhelm the hearts of mortals. You are invited to envision divine glimpses like this. Accept the invitation and see what He reveals.

God, when I envision what the prophet saw, I’m overwhelmed with the mystery of it all. Yet this is You—Your throne, Your lightning and thunder, Your environment. I choose to enter in. Open my spirit to be in awe of You.