"I really can see you!"

I have to tell you about an experience I had yesterday as I was running on a trail.  It was a great run and the first one in a long time that felt effortless.  But as I made my turnaround and headed back to my truck I was praying and thanking God for all he is and what he is doing in our lives and family.  I recall just saying to him, "I would love to be able to just see you."  And clearly, but not in audible words, I heard him say, "you can see me."  As I heard these words I looked at the trees and then up to the sky admiring the beauty of the clouds and sun and the sounds of the forest.  I replied, "yea, I can see you!  I can!"  That amazing thrill lasted about a second at most before I said to him, "no, I mean face to face.  I wish i could just see you right here in front of me."  Almost instantly I sensed his reply.  "You couldn't handle it."  I was a little shocked until I remembered that even Moses could only see the back of God as he passed him (showing only his back was an act of mercy on God's part).  And even that limited view lit him up so much that he had to wear a veil so as not to freak out the israelites once he got back down.  Then it dawned on me that he is so holy that he doesn't show himself to us in such uanabashed fashion.  In fact, this is him showing us kindness.  If we were to see him face to face now it would likely stop our hearts instantly or leave us in the fetal position experiencing the biggest anxiety attack in history.  That's true of us, as his friends.  Imagine what it would be like if we were his enemies.  The scene from "Raiders of the Lost Ark" might be helpful to give us a glimpse.  There, if you recall, the Spirit of God moves through the nazis before melting their faces and completely eradicating their very physical presence.  

But enough imagery.  My point is that it is awesome that we can see God though in a veiled way. Even more awesome is that the book of Revelation is clear that when we arrive in glory we will be complete, and although I have no idea what it will be like to approach him then, I do know that we will live with and reign with him.  The very glory that would likely kill us now because of God's sheer beauty and holiness will then be the light by which we live.  In the meantime, the book of Hebrews encourages God's friends to approach his throne boldly in our time of need.  Although I feel like I am always in need, I find this encouragement amazing.  Absolutely amazing.  He, a perfectly frightening holy God, invites me, a perfectly frightful sinful child, into his lap.  

Though we can't always make sense of what he is doing, we can make sense of his kindness and mercy to us.  Even though I don't understand everything I read about in his word or what is happening in the world, I do know he is good and merciful.  And as his child I don't have to be afraid of his justice.  Jesus is the Lord of the Sabboth and that means to us that we can experience rest only in him.  We can personally know "shalom."  That is, rest on all borders.  

I don't often hear from the Lord like I did yesterday, but I've noticed that as I draw near to him, he seems to draw near to me in tender and intimate ways.  I love that and am praying that you experience that as well.  Hebrews 10:22.