“During prayer, I heard these words: My daughter, let your heart be filled with joy. I, the Lord, am with you. Fear nothing. You are in My heart. At that moment, I knew the great majesty of God, and I understood that nothing could be compared with one single perception of God. Outward greatness dwindles like a speck of dust before one act of a deeper knowledge of God.” Divine Mercy in my Soul #1133
An encounter with God will change one’s heart forever, once you have this encounter there is no going back to even the moment before. My wife was once asked how I went from a shy introvert when we first met to be able to speak so passionately and so comfortably in front of so many – when I overheard her answer it struck me – she replied, ‘he met Jesus.’ That is the truth! When I first met Jesus, my life was unalterably changed, when I first heard Him call my name, it was like the concrete of my heart and the shackles that bound were shattered, I was set free. I know the moments so well – I can close my eyes and be right back in those moments hearing His voice, hearing Him call my name.
Like the Transfiguration I can hear the Father speaking to me that March evening, telling me ‘this is My Beloved Son, listen to Him.’ I fell to my knees, seeing Jesus for the first time ever. In joyful tears, I gave Him my heart and all my life that night.
Then several years later when Kristina was first suffering from lupus, I heard the Father and Son speaking to me. I felt the fire of the Holy Spirit filling me, I was overwhelmed by these special encounters and began to realize what true Divine Mercy is. It is impossible to meet God, to encounter God the Father and not be transformed by His Divine Mercy in the person of His Son Jesus. I can never describe to anyone what it felt like to be in His Presence that way or how incredible His Voice sounds – though I do try. (Read “I knew His Voice” for the full story – part 1)
Now not only do I never want to be who I was before Jesus encountered me, I want more. I want to run out to the world to proclaim like the disciples that I have seen and heard Jesus and He is real and present and so totally loves you. I want to learn more of His message to share, to accept His authority over sin, to partake in His power to show the world He IS truly alive and present today.
Make no mistake that when you meet Jesus, like Zacchaeus and Ed, you will be changed forever. Then it is all up to your response, will you run back from your encounter like the two at Emmaus to proclaim He is alive!! Or, step up beside the cross to carry the weight of our Lord’s suffering? Will you accept all the power and authority Jesus promises His apostles – to heal the sick, tread on serpents, to do ‘things greater than these’. I never would want to go back, I want to dive in further to the love and mercy of God.
If God can do this in me, knowing who I’ve been and how far I ran, I can’t imagine what He can do to any soul that is open to His call. I have done the impossible – for me. This shy person lifting up praise and prayer telling of His love and mercy,, standing before many praising His name, writing ‘I knew His Voice’, finding my way through darkness, breaking the chains this world bound me in. I haven’t walked in water (yet) but I’ve seen demons flee and healings occur by the authority and power of Jesus. Simply by encountering the Risen Lord.
And I want more! I want it all, Lord!
Lord, I am so blessed and highly favored to have heard Your voice, to know Your Presence, I know You are near and want to drink fully of all You give me. You are my strength and through You I can do ANYTHING. Make me that mirror that reflects You to the world that others may see, hear and most importantly, encounter You.