Ever been hugged by God?

I remember when God embraced me.   Like a hug from a father, I was enveloped in love.  It was during a conference at my home church (Temple Church of Christ- whoop whoop!) when the minister called the youth to the altar.  I was hesitant because I've never felt totally comfortable with someone laying hands on me and/or pushing praying for me in front of a crowd, but I wanted to be obedient so I went to the altar anyway.  I began praying and praising the Lord and before I knew it a warmth surrounded me like a heating blanket in the dead of winter.  The warmth was reassuring and accepting.  It didn't scold nor did it pacify, but it held me in a way that exposed my weaknesses and re-enforced my constant dependence on a God who wanted nothing more than to see me prosper.

Although I have not felt God's embrace to that level of tangibility since that conference, I am made aware of His unfailing love every time I find myself in a place of: (1) Unity - I was in the midst of believers that night.  I was not isolated or in the company of people of differing faiths.  This created an atmosphere wherein God often chooses to reveal Himself.  (2) Submission - I submitted myself to the minister's call.  I didn't necessarily feel it, I just obeyed and in my obedience God met me at the altar. (3) Prayer and Praise - When I got to the altar I was told to pray and praise God.  To my surprise the minister did not even attempt to pray for each individual who responded to her call, but she instructed us to pray and praise.  I did as she instructed knowing all I ever needed would ultimately come not through the touch of a minister, but through God.   It was in that moment that God embraced me and communicated His love for me as an undying, unconditional, and unwavering force that could never die.  I was forever changed.

The picture posted above truly illustrates the mystery of God's love.  The first time I saw it my mind went right back to my experience and my heart melted once again.  It seems with all the promises and assurances the Word of God provides the one of love is often neglected.  The Word is truly sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12) in that it is able to present the standard of a Holy God and show how miserably I measure up, but it also explicitly conveys God's unwavering love toward me by outlining His plan to save me (John 3:16).  I am dumbfounded by this love.  I am taken aback, flabbergasted, but mostly humbled not just by the fact that God loves me, but how He loves me. Oh, How He love us!

#walkthetalk

-Sarah