Experiencing God's Presence #58

Then the LORD said, “You feel sorry about the plant. . . . Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?”

Jonah 4:10-11

Someone was spreading slanderous suggestions about me, and there was nothing I could do about it. Well, I could have spent a lot of time and effort refuting the lies, but that rarely accomplishes much. Engaging in such debates only draws the defender down to the accuser’s level. All I could do was watch the lies spread, noticing who would believe them and who knew the real me instead. It was painful. And then it dawned on me: this must be how God feels about the adversary’s attempts to cast shadows on His goodness. My painful experience turned into a point of fellowship with God’s heart.

In fact, God gives us many ways to connect with His heart through our own experiences. He gave Jonah an object lesson with a vine in order to make a point about His own compassion. When we hold a newborn baby, we experience unconditional love for someone who has done absolutely nothing to earn it. When we feel jealous for someone’s love, we know how God feels about those who love lesser gods. When someone offends us, we get a taste of what God overcomes in forgiving our sins. In the joy of a wedding, we connect with the joy of the coming marriage of the Bridegroom and His bride. When we give a gift that isn’t appreciated, we can relate to the disappointment of the Giver whose gifts are routinely ignored. Practically any experience in life can turn into a connecting point with God’s heart.

Notice how you feel in each of your experiences in life, and ask yourself if there’s a divine parallel. Better yet, ask the Spirit to tune your heart to moments of revelation like that. Realize that nearly every feeling and attitude you have—other than fear, despair, and bitterness, which God doesn’t have—can unveil insights into His heart. You’ll find that His fellowship with you is closer than you think.

Lord, let my heart connect with Yours. Show me how my feelings reflect Your feelings, and draw me closer with each new insight.

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