In the silence, in a quiet place,
In the stillness you are there...
Our stay in Jerusalem surprised me on a personal level. I had so many expectations to visit all the religious places of Jesus' life, and of his crucifixion. I had an expectancy to have wonderful feelings of joy overwhelm me when in the supposed resting place of Jesus' body, or the Mount of Olives. The real eye opener was when I visited Bethlehem to see where Jesus was born. The exact spot is marked with immense fanfare and pomp, and a continous flood of tourists ensure that the space is almost always filled with flashlights and a buzzing noise. I felt...empty. Even the surrounding churches with their beauty and decorations built on top of the room could not eleviate this disappointing emotion. Why did I have such difficulty to come into God's presence?
But while pondering on this matter, the scripture of 1 Kings 19:11 - 13 came to mind . God was not in the wind, the earthquake or the fire...but in the gentle whisper. In the same way I couldn't help to compare it with the intense tourist approach of Jesus' life. And how people tend to visit places like these to experience God's presence. I do not deny that it is a special experience for many, but I was reminded that God is not limited to that. The God I serve is so much bigger than these events and places. He can not be confined to a certain idea or image. He is almighty. He is all powerfull. He is all loving. And He is grace. That's why He can be found in the silence. And that is where we can meet Him. Away from the maddening crowd. Away from distractions and noise and busy shedules and meetings and cellphones and email. Just me and Him.
What a wonderful realisation! God wants to spend quality time with me- alone. Not to be shared with anybody or anything. He wants to have this immense intimate relationship with me. To daily fill me with the Holy Spirit. And to touch me by His love and grace- every day.