Holy Moments

I've been finding myself more and more in conversations where I get to hear someone tell their story about how God redeemed and restored them. All I can say is, "Thank You, Jesus, for allowing me to hear this."

Often, these accounts of redemption seem almost impossible. The pain was too much, the brokenness too irredeemable, the suffering inescapable, the loss irrecoverable, the dead ends unsalvageable — but then, His loving hand easily infiltrates the impossible, and every name melts away in the presence of the One.

Hearing such accounts of His love saving in all kinds of circumstances — even beyond my own — His involvement in touching and healing — I've come to recognise as holy moments. It's profound how seemingly ordinary these moments can seem. A couple of friends having lunch; and conversations around coffee cups — mundane even. But even here, or especially here, His presence shows up in these moments. Moments set apart, in which nothing and no one can claim any glory or praise. It all points to Him: His kindness, His involvement, His timing, His redemption, His leading of those who know His voice, His power, His deliverance, His love. It's all Him.

These are holy moments where all my heart can do is offer up, with tears and joy, every ounce of thankfulness and worship to the One who makes all things new. These are moments I want to pay attention to. They are accounts of His children, His Church, sharing their history with Him. I've sat in these moments and felt the weight of them — how He values them. They are like jewels and treasures, kept safe. They are the building stones we use to build altars that point to His faithfulness. And at the end of it all, we give it back to Him, saying, "Lord, look at all You have done! There is no one like You! Holy, holy is the Lamb."

As we think about our own moments, our own stories of how He saved us, delivered us, and continues to make us whole, may we recognize His presence. May we quiet our hearts and minds, giving our attention to these moments. Treasure them. And build altars of remembrance pointing to Him.

Because all is for His glory.