Sam was face to face with the living God. This was not a dream or vision, it was an incredible reality; God was with him – He was with him in flesh and blood! Sam’s former belief in a distant God was abruptly abolished, replaced with the tangible, profoundly living God that was up close and personal. For reasons unknown to Sam, the unattainable God had decided to come to earth and meet personally with Sam. Their meeting was real, God was real, and Sam found himself overwhelmed, stuck in a moment with the Almighty.
They both stood still, perfectly still, and in that moment the silence between them sung the most fascinating of songs. A soundless melody of joy and love, each note perfectly placed. The divine orchestra played triumphantly, and the silence between them was electrifying.
That moment; that intimate outrageous moment, as glorious as it felt, was fleeting. Sam’s self-focused ego commanded that his attention be placed back upon himself, and, taking the opportunity to condemn him, violently reminded Sam of his own weaknesses and inadequacies in the presence of the Almighty.
The silent song of heaven that so beautifully danced around him was abruptly, and dramatically, exchanged with Sam’s own song. The drum beat of his heart doubled the tempo; forcefully, and without invitation, new vocalist stole the microphone, recklessly preaching their selfish, distorted lyrics. His lungs tightened, the tension wrestled with him, overpowering him, and his face was set afire.
Through the intoxicating chaos that fear had ignited, a still soft voice cut through its hostility. Sam could hear God, he knew that voice by now, but he also could see God standing right before him and he was clearly not speaking. God was looking directly at Sam, his mouth closed and eyebrows raised. God’s voice was, incredibly, speaking from within Sam; a gentle whisper that roared with authority above every other sound.
God’s voice was not in the chaos, it was, astonishingly, in the silence. While the chaos of Sam’s own fear and insecurity had employed its overbearing intensity to momentarily imprison him, God had rescued him through the quietness and rest of his voice; his living word. God didn’t need to scream to be heard; he simply spoke, and every other voice ceased.
“Be still” God spoke calmly, as he led Sam into freedom, “and don’t forget to breathe!”
Sam breathed; it was a deep, satisfying breath. The world came back into focus; the divine melody once more embraced him and suddenly everything was calm; his soul, for the first time, was wonderfully at peace.
“Sam” God said, “We’re never going to be able to start our grammar lessons if you keep having panic attacks in my presence every other minute!” God laughed, seemingly impressed with his own observation, as he warmly patted Sam on his shoulder, jovially asking, “My boy, what are you so afraid of?”
It was a good question, what was Sam so afraid of? (continue reading)
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