Special Moments with our Infinite God
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”
Andy Murphy’s article “The Most Important Question to Ask In Life (According to Carl Jung)” made me stop and reflect. Jung’s question? “The decisive question for man [a person] is: Is he related to something infinite or not?” I am so grateful to my mother and grandmother for making faith and church a priority in my life. They modelled a faithful commitment. My mother was a Presbyterian Elder. My grandmother was a Presbyterian Deacon and had the entire William Barclay New Testament Commentary series on her shelf, which she studied.
The “infinite” God revealed Godself to me in subtle but meaningful ways. I was never struck by God and knocked off my horse, as the Apostle Paul was. Yet God’s still small voice seemed to speak to me. Actually, it was less about words and more about feelings. Sitting in a church service, or a study group, often in prayer, a wave of comfort, or presence alien to my average day, would sweep through me. One of the most powerful moments for me was on a Youth Mission Trip in the Boundary Waters. We camped along the Basswood River. Our pastor sent us to find a quiet spot by ourselves, with our Bibles. I do not remember the passage, but I remember the warmth filling my entire body, and then the feeling of acceptance and love. It was so strong and meaningful. I will never forget it. I believe the “infinite” One was with me that day.
I share my example of relating to the “infinite” to spark your thoughts and memories. If you are reading this devotion, I imagine you must have had a moment with the “infinite,” even if you cannot express or explain it. Jung shares, “Only if we know that the thing which truly matters is the infinite can we avoid fixing our interests upon futilities, and upon all kinds of goals which are not of real importance… If we understand and feel that here in this life we already have a link with the infinite, desires and attitudes change.”
Today, prayerfully reflect on how the infinite One changed your desires and attitudes. Knowing that God exists and cares makes us more compassionate and generous. Knowing God at some level has led us to prioritize God with our time and in our self-giving. Those who have not yet had an infinite moment do not understand why we waste our time in worship and in activities for others. If you try to share your infinite moments with them, you can feel their eyes roll. Offer a prayer of Thanksgiving for the gift of an infinite moment. Then, ask God to provide one for all the world’s children, so the gift of reassuring love can be enjoyed by all.
