Soon
after posting a Blog entitled, “We Are Now, and We
Always Have Been, Graciously Guided,”
(1/7/2017)I was guided to read Sarah Young’s Introduction to her book, “Jesus
Calling.” I was fascinated by how she
was “graciously guided” all along the way to writing her book.
These
are the “signposts” that led her along the way, step by step. I have simply excerpted these passages that
pointed the way for her.
I firsts experienced the peace of God in a setting of
exquisite beauty. I was living and
studying at a Christian community in a tiny Alpine village in France.
A few months earlier my brother had asked me to read Francis
Schaeffer’s, “Escape from Reason.”
Schaeffer’s teaching drew me to this pristine place.
One night I found myself leaving the warmth of our cozy
chalet to walk alone in the snowy mountains.
Suddenly I felt as if a warm mist enveloped me. I became aware of a lovely Presence, and my
involuntary response was to whisper, “Sweet Jesus.”
The following year, back in the United States, I had another
encounter with the Presence of Jesus.
Alone in my room, I felt waves of desolation wash over me. So I began walking the streets of Atlanta
aimlessly. I glanced at some books in an
outdoor stall and was drawn to “Beyond Ourselves” by Catherine Marshall. That night as I read the book, I no longer
felt alone. That night as I read the
book, I felt an overwhelming Presence of peace and love come over me. I knew that Jesus was with me.
During the next sixteen years I lived what many people might
consider an exemplary Christian life.
I was ready to begin a new spiritual quest. It started with delving into a devotional
book, “The Secret of the Abiding Presence” by Andrew Murray.
My days started alone with God, equipped with Bible,
devotional book, prayer journal, pen, and coffee. As I waited in His Presence, God began to
reveal Himself to me.
During that same year, I began reading “God Calling,” a
devotional book written by two anonymous “listeners.” These women practiced waiting quietly in
God’s Presence, pencils and paper in hand, recording the messages they received
from Him.
The following year I began to wonder if I, too, could
receive messages during my times of communing with God. I decided to listen to God with pen in hand,
writing down whatever I believed He was saying.
Soon, messages began to flow more freely, and I bought a special
notebook to record these words.
I have continued to receive personal messages from God as I
meditate on Him. The more difficult my
life circumstances, the more I need these encouraging directives from my
Creator. During the years that I have
been listening to God with pen in hand, I have found themes of His Peace
becoming more prominent in my writing.
I have included Scripture references after each daily
reading. As I listened to God, Bible
verses or fragments of verses often come to mind. I have interwoven these into
my messages.
These messages are meant to be read slowly, preferably in a
quiet place. Remember that Jesus is
Immanuel, God with us. May He bless you
with His Presence and Peace in ever-increasing measure.
