“God, come close. Come quickly! Open your ears – it’s my voice you’re hearing! Treat my prayer as sweet incense rising; my raised hands are my evening prayers.” Psalm 141.1,2
Years ago I discovered what this verse would look like if ever portrayed on film. Men or women, emerging from a Finnish sauna dressed as God intended them to be to stand on a boat dock eyes resting on all that God does for them, their thanks rising with the steam off their bodies up to God. Ever since the first experience; the raging heat of the sauna that would not end, the red lashes from the white birch branches dipped in cold water, and the shock and relief of hitting water barely above freezing, I have seen God differently.
Last night I reflected, in a Finnish sauna of course, about connecting with God. Everything depends on our determination to connect; do we really want to have a two-way conversation with God? Do we have any idea what could happen if we do? Are we prepared for change?
In my own journey, the question continues to break into two pieces. How do I see God? Given this picture, how important is God to me?
My God picture continues to become more vivid, colorful, and intense. God passionately loves you and me in ways that are more intense and extreme than a groom looks to his pride. God approaches us knowing every intimate detail of our life, all the good, and bad. God accepts us exactly and totally as we are, but knowing Him will change us in ways we will never expect or anticipate! God’s motive in His relationship to us is to restore our relationship, nothing more, and nothing less.
As the God picture clears, I find myself sitting in the heat of life. While reveling in the excitement of daily living, I miss the intimacy God is looking to have with me. For a long time I did not know what this thirst was; it is God and God alone!
Connecting with God is living.
