The higher goal of spiritual living is not to amass a wealth of information, but to face sacred moments. What is retained in the souls is the moment of insight. (Abraham Joshua Heschel)
I admire education and enjoy learning. Suffice to say, I will probably always be a “studentâ€, reading voraciously. My higher education, though, remains uncompleted, for which I have been hard on myself.
The above quote brought perspective …
In our relationships with God, information is not to be the goal. The goal should be those moments in our day by which we recognize the very Presence of God Himself. The goal is God revealing Himself to us, and the insight we gain from His word.
Where will we find the sacred moment today?
We may not remember every fact in Scripture but we will remember the moment in which our God revealed Himself to us. We will remember the truth imparted and the way His Word opened our understanding.
Moses noticed a burning bush, decided to “go over and see the strange sight – why the bush does not burn up.†As he approached the bush, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” (Exodus 3:3). In that moment, that sacred moment, Moses responded, “Here I am” and his life was never again the same.
It was the sacred moment, the defining moment of Moses’ life.
The disciples were walking along on a road when Jesus joined them. He continued with them, going to their home and breaking bread with them. It was in that sacred moment, the breaking of bread, their eyes were suddenly opened and they recognized Him.
“They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32, NLT)
It was their sacred moment which changed the course of their lives.
Sacred moments will define our lives as well. Our eyes will be opened to see a truth revealed. Our minds will grasp and understand what was hidden from us till then. Sacred moments define and change our lives ad we are never left the same.
Sacred moments.
“What is retained in the souls is the moment of insight.”
Today I am joining … #ChasingCommunity and Heart Encouragement Thursday and Tune In Thursday and Salt & Light .
I love this quote and the truth it reveals. Sacred moments that bring me closer to God help me in the valleys. Beautiful message, Joanne.
They seem to make the valleys more meaningful. Don’t they, Debbie?
I yearn for those sacred moments, those times when “Our eyes will be opened to see a truth revealed.”
How awesome that the Creator of the Universe will share sacred moments with His children? How could we ever be the same?
So very true, Jerralea. He never leaves us the same.
What better goal could there be than to “recognize the very Presence of God Himself” and in so doing to gain insight from Him for ourselves and to share with others?! His word is alive! His Gospel is “the power of God unto salvation”! Some of the disciples were uneducated men, but people took note that they had been with Jesus. And by His Spirit and by His Word, they “turned the world upside down”.
Yes, those sacred moments truly do change our lives, and I am so glad! 🙂 They also lead us to share our testimony with others, I believe, so others can also experience God.
Ruth, wonderful and powerful thoughts. We gain insight not only for ourselves but in order to share more effectively with others.
I had a quote on my blog about this same thing … “When our pursuit of the knowledge of God has become more about our knowledge and less about God, we are on the wrong path.” So many times we don’t even realize that we are getting lots of info about Him, but are missing HIM. It’s probably how people can make it through the seminary and start pastoring a church, yet not really have a genuine saving relationship with Him till much later. God bless you!
Heather, you have made a sobering observation. May we pursue relationship with Him over knowledge, all of our days. May you and your family have a happy Thanksgiving!
Sacred moments are like love notes from God, aren’t they? We took our 4 year old daughter and infant son to the zoo on a warm afternoon over thirty years ago. As I sat on a bench, holding our son, I watched my husband and daughter look at the polar bears. They turned, smiled and waved, then headed toward me. In that sacred moment, I knew the rest of my life wouldn’t be long enough to praise God. Thank you for the reminder!
Alice, it is amazing how those moments remain indelible. They are just as precious to us as the day it happened. Thank you for sharing your memory with me. May you have a Happy Thanksgiving!
I too see myself as a forever learner, Joanne. But it amazes me how an insight from God can take a truth I learn to a truth I live. Love this: “The goal is God revealing Himself to us, and the insight we gain from His word.” Amen!
And I love this, Crystal > “an insight from God can take a truth I learn to a truth I live.” Yes!