Leaning In

That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10

I have been pondering that I may know Him… walking with the Lord.  In focusing on knowing Him I began thinking about how He initiates relationship and begins the conversation. Of course, we have His Word and that alone would be enough but He desires more, and it is personal. To me, the Lord isn’t one to speak in a normal voice. Many times, it’s more like whispering which requires leaning in closer.  Little nudges, a sensing, a heaviness, a thought, a song, a person on our heart, or something in creation, to name a few. Things not on our radar. Perhaps that alone indicates something supernatural is at hand. He starts the dialog. And if we will pay attention, it is usually something for us to glean from, pray for or act upon.  

I especially cherish when God starts the dialog. Recently my beloved mother passed on to glory, in fact just 2 weeks ago now.  The unfolding story of my family is nothing short of a picture of the redemption and restoration of God. A people on a sure path to destruction, broken and in need of God who in his mercy, grace and goodness interrupted our life with His. One by one like domino’s we began to turn to Him. It began by simply saying yes to His covenant which is available to all.

What started my pondering of this subject was in grieving the passing of my mother prior to any real changes in her health. Mom had declined significantly throughout last year but no real signs that it was time. In fact, medical people thought we probably had time. Without being cognizant of it at first though, either in driving to work or going about my day I had these overwhelming waves of heavy grieving regarding the loss of her. I soon realized I was saying goodbye to her in my spirit and that the time must be drawing near. The Lord was giving a heads up. Sure enough, I got the call of her transitioning and by then, the deep grieving had lifted and I made plans to be with her. Just 2-weeks later she would depart for heaven by way of the angels… but let me explain.

On my 8-hour drive down to see Mom, I kept hearing in my spirit over and over and over The angels are coming… the angels are coming.... the angels are coming. When I arrived, there was a heavy presence of God for which all I could do was praise and thank Him concerning all He was doing. The entire weekend has so impacted me, I know now I am forever changed. I was quite aware of the Father Himself moving in and through Mom’s sister and brother in-law, to a measure unlike I have ever known in my life. The servants heart care that was given to Mom was the Father God Himself. In some way I felt I had seen a glimpse heaven. The angels had truly taken up residence in preparation of ushering this precious one home.

After settling in, God decided to continue the communication just in case I was not getting it. He used a book of my aunt’s that I happened to pick up titled Secrets of the Vine. The page I opened to was speaking to me regarding the very moment that was playing out before me and the point of this message. It starts out “Have you ever been with someone very close to you who is about to die, someone who loves you and wants to leave you with a final word?” “Come closer.”  You lean close, straining to hear. “I want to tell you something. I’ve waited till now….but I can’t wait any longer.”

The Spirit of the Living God desires to converse with us just like it says He did with Adam in the garden. He wants to walk with us and talk with us. He has things to tell us, beauty to show us, life to give us, that is what a Covenant relationship is, but He needs us to lean in close in order to hear. That realm that can’t truly be conveyed in earthly human means or measures, is likened to an artist’s paint brush that endeavors to replicate heaven. As penned in 1 Cor 13 is as looking through a glass dimly.

More than anything He desires intimacy with us. He is always beckoning, conversing, always speaking. He is the initiator, and our response to our Maker’s pursuit is likened to a husband for his bride. Though he loves us when we are afar off, His purpose is to overshadow us to where passionate intimacy converges and brings forth holy habitation. The life then becomes the dance of two lovers.

A life consumed, fully wrecked for nothing short of His Glory is the only existence we will be fulfilled by, because it is what we are made for. It’s where the impossible becomes possible, captives are set free, blind eyes see, healing is released, human limitations are removed, every yoke is broken, heavy burdens are made light, battles become triumphant, and darkness turns to light.

Are you leaning in?