On the occasion of meeting Jesus.

Three words.
That's all it took. In the same breath I read those words, I remembered everything I had dreamt the night before. How could I forget? Honestly, sometimes I don't understand. But I am not trying to, because I am simply so thankful for a sudden memory ignited, making it's warming presence linger.


Union with Christ.


The words were nothing more than one of many subtitles in my theology textbook. Yet, those words spoke vision into my eyes of last night's meeting.


Dreaming.
I was with someone familiar that is consistent in my recent dreams, but that remains a nameless, faceless, blur. We were together, & all of the sudden an introduction was in order. Jesus wants to meet you. Standing at the bottom of the stairs, I stood hesitant. Nervous to meet the one my soul chases day & night, my heartbeat rose to my throat. As I felt the first thought of doubt planting seed in my mind, I turned & ran through the doorway, lunging towards Him.


& you know something?

I didn't get too far.



Jesus met me half way.


It was Disney World magical.
Because all at once, I realized I wasn't the only one running. That I wasn't expected to walk up, tap him on the shoulder, & say

Hey, I've been chasing you.

 

 

But that He simply waited for me to agree. Because as much as it's true that I don't have to walk five hundred miles & five hundred more, earning my way into his pure & holy presence, it's just as true to remember that Jesus will not force you into a relationship with him. No ball & chain, here. No handcuffs. Just waiting. Waiting for the second you will whisper His name over your significant others, looking with expectation to behold His face in your Monday blues.

 

He is waiting.

 

 

& upon our demanding fists uncurling into cupped hands?

 

 

An introduction will be in order.

 

 

Jesus ran to meet me.

His arms were outstretched, & I fell into them as a child falls into his mother's open arms, ready for that healing, cradling rock. Jesus ran, & I ran, & when I turned to run towards him & when I saw him for the first time, my fears of unworthiness & disappointment washed away like sand on your toes at the sight of water.

 

 

Jesus' joy was as tangible in his cheek bone's as the sound of his laughter was to my ears. A sweet, soothing melody. I cry at the thought of this perfection. Consumed by His love, I never left His embrace. I felt His chest pressed upon mine, his arms wrapped around me. & in those arms was where I was stolen from my dreams, broken by the sounding alarm telling me that five o'clock was alive & ready for me.

 

 

So what do I make of this?

 

I don't know. But I opened my Bible in search of answers, looking expectantly at the pages where I left off the night before. & wouldn't you know he left a treasure in today?

 

 

SO THE LORD MUST WAIT FOR YOU TO COME TO HIM,

SO HE CAN SHOW YOU HIS LOVE & COMPASSION.

FOR THE LORD IS A FAITHFUL GOD.

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIS HELP.

 

...YOU WILL WEEP NO MORE.

HE WILL BE GRACIOUS IF YOU ASK FOR HELP.

 

HE WILL SURELY RESPOND TO THE SOUND OF YOUR CRIES.

 

THOUGH THE LORD GAVE YOU ADVERSITY FOR FOOD

& SUFFERING FOR DRINK,

 

HE WILL STILL BE WITH YOU TO TEACH YOU.

YOU WILL SEE YOUR TEACHER WITH YOUR OWN EYES.

 

YOUR OWN EARS WILL HEAR HIM...

(ISAIAH 30:18-21)

 

 

& so what do I make of this?

An answer.

 

 

DRAW NEAR TO GOD, & HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU.

(JAMES 4:8)


 

 

 

Jesus will not force an introduction on you. He is not pushy. He is an inviter. He extends the invitation, allowing you the option to decide to enter through the doorway or to remain on the other side of the wall, just where you are.
 

 

He is loving. He is joyful. He is peace. He is life. He is gentle. He is kind.

 

He does not stand in the corner of the room shouting that you are heading to hell. He does not shove himself down your throat, telling you how wrong you are & what a hot mess you are. He is not pushy. 

 

 

 

He is waiting, extending invitation & open arms.