As many of you know I have recently begun working through a Master of Divinity degree online through Wesley Seminary. A few weeks ago I spent a few days on campus at Wesley Seminary and while I was there I had one of the most emotional worship experiences that I've ever had. The interesting part of my experience is that this particular worship experience had nothing to do with music, other people, or a congregational meeting. For a young Pastor with hair as crazy as mine this might seem odd to you. It did to me too, and honestly I wasn't ready for this experience, I wasn't looking for it, but God had something to show me. and he knew I needed it. I needed growth; God wanted to stretch me and challenge me. And when God wants to get our attention, he will! I needed a bigger view of God---I got it. I need a fresh encounter with grace---I got that too!
Situated in the middle of the Seminary campus sits an 18th century gothic chapel perfectly replicated to an original design. Inside sit wooden pews complete with kneeling cushions, Wesleyan hymnbooks, and liturgical catechisms. The chapel is lined with stained glass windows and has a slanted cathedral ceiling which is outlined with wooden beams. The entire chapel directs your visual focus to the front of the sanctuary where a bronze statue of Jesus is situated. And there is Jesus laying on his side in the garden before he is arrested and crucified. His body is draped over a rock, his face is squinting in passionate agony, his hands tightly clasped to a cup raised above his head, his eyes are fixed to the heavens. The inscription reads "Father if you are willing, take this cup from me". As I walked in and sat down my eyes were immediately drawn to this life-like replica of Jesus.
I sat there for a few moments and then BOOM, it hit me. All at once, like a ton of bricks had been dropped from the stone steeple 50 feet above. I lost it, I broke, I began weeping and crying in the intense intimacy of the moment. It was worship, and it was as if God was saying to me, look at my son Jesus, look at what he did for you, look at what it cost him, I didn't take that cup from him so that you could rest in the grace he provided for you.. The spirit of the living God was in that chapel that day saying to me: I love you, I love you, I love you---and the grace that I experienced that day will stay with me for a lifetime. I walked out of that chapel changed, refreshed, renewed, washed clean yet again in the glorious grace that only Jesus provides. Sometimes we just need a fresh encounter with God's grace. I pray that you will find your"stone chapel" where your eyes will be drawn to Jesus so that you may have your own fresh encounter with the amazing grace only found in Jesus.
His Grace Abounds.
His Grace Abounds.
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