Feeling

Have you ever felt it?  It may have been in the midst of chaos or even a quiet moment to yourself.   Suddenly, without expectation, you feel it, as if it seems to wash over you.  Maybe, at that moment, you can’t explain it and wonder what that feeling is.  Many even ignore it, attributing it to some earthly explanation.  It may only last for a moment; or if you’re lucky, you’re able to rest in that feeling for even longer.   You don’t want it to leave you, and you feel like your insides are smiling.  “How lucky I am,” you realize and say to yourself.    Even though everything around you may not confirm that, you are experiencing it – peace.   A feeling of peace that is beyond your understanding and maybe even beyond your control.  It’s better than any medical prescription or over the counter drug, or any promise from the hundreds of thousands of “feel good” solutions on the market today.  It’s a multi-billion-dollar industry that tells us what we need to feel at peace – to be happy.   One may ask who the manufacturer is or how they can get this feeling.    But you and I know it can’t be bought.  It’s a gift of the Holy Spirit – that is the feeling that is washing over you even in the midst of chaos or that quiet moment alone.  He fills you when we need it most, and more importantly, when we don’t even deserve it.  But as I sit here writing to you now, that’s what happened.  Today I have felt peace.  Peace, knowing that Jesus is holding my hand.  Peace, confident that these are valuable lessons necessary on my journey.  And the best part is that this feeling doesn’t leave me with a hangover or dangerous side effects from worldly solutions.  But it is the only “drug” I need to keep me going, excited for the next day of my life and excited to see what Jesus still has in store for me.  Thank you, God for giving us the gift of feelings.  It’s in both the highs and lows of life that I have come to know you’re with me every step of the way.  I couldn’t do it without you!   I would love to hear your story on how you experience your feelings in your walk of faith.  Is it sometimes silence,  or you can hear that still small voice, a feeling of warmth, or maybe it shows up in tears of thankfulness.  I hope to hear from you!

“Jesus answered, “Those that drink this water will get thirsty again, but those who drink the water I give them will never be thirsty again.”  ‘Sir,’ the woman said, ‘give me this water! Then I will never be thirsty again, nor will I have to come here to draw water.’ ”  John 4: 13-15