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by Rev. Fr. V.V. Paulose, Toronto, Canada
"I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh." (Joel 2:28)
Is it a fantasy to have a conscious contact with
God?
God is spirit. It's attainable and is for each individual. It's the free gift of
God. It's for, "To all who are thirsty, I will give freely from the springs of
water of life" (Revelation 21:6). Each of us should have firsthand knowledge of
God. That is the promise of God. "In the last days, ' God says, 'I will pour out
my spirit upon all people" (Acts 2:17). So all human beings have to, "Taste and
see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34 :8). Each person must have a personal
relationship with God. It is not enough to hear wonderful stories about
Christians in our family. We need to become part of the story ourselves. This
knowing is what we call faith, and it cannot be substantiated or verified by
external sources. "The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the
wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can't
explain how people are born of the spirit" (John 3:8). And when you have
experienced God in person, you will become a new person. Then you will have
accessed a spiritual solution to any problem that may present itself.
A disciple once came to a teacher to learn how to meditate on God. The teacher
gave him instructions, but he soon returned and said he couldn't carry them out.
Every time he tried to meditate he found himself thinking about his pet buffalo.
"Well, then, " said the teacher, "You meditate on that buffalo you are so fond
of." The disciple did it. After a few days, the teacher knocked at the door of
his disciple where the meditation was going on, and the disciple answered: "Sir,
I'm sorry I can't come out to greet you. The door is too small. My horns will be
in the way." Then the teacher smiled and said: " Splendid! You have become
identified with the object of your concentration. Now fix that concentration
upon God and you will easily succeed."
The message is so clear. Become one with the Spirit, meditate on Jesus, then he
will become a reality in each of us. Make a decision to have a direct experience
with Jesus, independent of the opinions of external forces that have been so
powerful in our lives. "Now we believe, not just because of what you told us,
but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the
Savoir of the world" (John 4:42).
Jesus, Let us free from all confusing voices from all sides of our lives. We need a personal encounter with you that you have promised to all human beings. As you did to the woman of Samaria and all the people there. Be with all those who are longing for a personal encounter with You. All we ask in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
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