Has this ever happened to you? You’re reading a book, and suddenly, you feel as if you’re there, experiencing all the sights, sounds, and emotions that the subject is encountering. This happens to me from time to time, like the other day, when I was reading about an episode from the life of Paul as a young man of thirteen:“As Saul boarded the boat at the docks of Tarsus, he had no idea just how familiar the nauseating heaving of a sea vessel would ultimately become to him. The boat sailed almost due south as Saul gazed at the ancient coastal cities of Sidon and Tyre in the distance.” *
While absorbing these words, I was immediately transported, and an overwhelming feeling of awe welled up inside me, so much so that it made me cry. I felt like I was on that ship, staring at a boy who had no idea how his life would play out. Young Saul, yet to be Paul, a biblical giant, clueless. If he knew, would he, like Jonah, run? --But God, but God.
I had to stop reading here and take it all in, and pray. I thought about my own life and the lives of my children and all those I love, as we squint toward the coastline of an unknown future. We think we know so much, but we don’t. Yet He, who sees all, keeps us and leads us in all the terrible lovely marvel that is our journey.
* quoted from Paul - 90 Days on His Journey of Faith, by Beth Moore…worth the read!
Joining Emily today
24 comments:
I had the same experience the other day... I listen to audio books while I'm painting, and while I was working on my mural, I listened to Ben Hur. I had to stop painting for a few minutes during the crucifixion scene because I felt like I was there, and I was crying and couldn't see the wall! I may have to check out this book on Paul. Thanks for sharing!
mmm. I guess I'll have to stock up on some Beth Moore when I get back to the US... you've whetted my appetite as usual :)
amy in peru
Jodi
Yes that has happened to on many occasions actually, I felt sometimes like the 'author' knew. However, I must say though I am selective on what I read and what I watch on t.v. and in the movies.
You captured this paragraph and the essence of the drama unfolding.
I do agree with you, we think we know all there is , and yet in great humility we know nothing at all.
joanny
yeah i bet if you asked he never would have thought where he would end up...sometimes that gives me comfort...
Always good to be reminded, those heroes of the faith in scripture were all caught in the present of their stories, not knowing how they would turn out, trusting their lives and their souls to the hands of almighty God.
hi! so i don't know about Paul yet. i can't wait to learn, as i have heard he didn't like Christians much in the beginning, i think, and then went on to write most of the new testament? is this right? and i have seen these beth moore books around and think i ought to read them someday. i always read really slowly so i can soak it all up, to make sure i get it and feel it just the way the author wanted me to. crying is normal for me when i read also...
now that i re-read your post, i want to know what paul's story is! i bet it would probably be one of my favorites :)
I know what you mean...and yes that's happened to me too, and I love it when that happens.
A while back, I was blessed to sit in on Beth Moore's classes in Houston. She is so real, and she has the gift of pulling you in with her to The Father, God.
Enjoy the book. I'll need to read that one!!!
"...as we squint toward the coastline of an unknown future. We think we know so much, but we don’t. Yet He, who sees all, keeps us and leads us in all the terrible lovely marvel that is our journey. "
love Beth Moore. love you more... (no pun intended)
Vicki, I got this book from the library. I bet you could, too. It's written as a daily devotional. I think you might like it. You're right what you said about Paul--he persecuted Christians, then had an encounter with God, and went on to become a great hero of the faith, writing much of the content of the New Testament in the process.
Thanks, everybody, for sharing your own experiences. I think this is one of my favorite things about blogging.
Leslie, <3
P.S. Did you like Bright Star?
Powerful. I love to be transported like that! Now I want to read this book. Thanks:)
i was just commenting to my beloved over lunch about some of this ... how the smallness of vision in the moment or season can obscure our comprehension that this isn't all God has for us.
we are all at some time in some way living with the skin of a name that will not forever be ours.
this is my first time here.
thank you.
i love having those experiences while reading...you describe them well. & you capture how we know nothing of the future so well. it is a good reminder... xoxo
oh wow... what a gift, to be transported like this... thank you for sharing so i can think like paul: so often the stories in the Bible seem so untouchable, so far away. this really helps. love you jodi.
My husband had the name Paul because his mother was reading a book about St. Paul during her pregnancy. But it wasn't this one your have told us about. It wasn't even in English....But I have always loved the name Paul and the three people I dated seriously were all named Paul. It was a joke with us. My pediatrician as a child was a family friend, a Paul who had a mustache. I dated Pauls until I found one with a moustace and married him.
My colleagues and I are all at a crossroads where we are looking for new positions, but relatively confident that we will find them. I was just commenting with them this morning that we're on this adventure - again. Where anything could happen, anything is possible, but something very concrete is right around the corner. Even if it is a bit scary, it's also a lot of fun, isn't it?!
Kristi, that's a great story! Thanks for telling it. :)
Kati, I agree. I believe when God is in control, life is an adventure. And no matter how difficult things are, there's always hope and sustaining joy. Blessings to you in your future endevours.
well timed post my sweet friend.
and what Laure said. sigh
( her words are prayer)
I am a little quiet.. apologies. I think I'm don't want to set sail sometimes.
Hi, I just popped in to say hello, great blog, congratulations! I'll be your new follower.
You can visit mine if you feel like.
Cheers from Argentina!
Humberto.
www.humbertodib.blogspot.com
I loved visiting with you hear today Jodi..
I love when you are reading and His Spirit just comes in like a wave and overwhelms you with Truth and Light, and the sense of His Presence is closer than your very breath.
Thank you for this lovely post...xo
Deborah xoxo
it's really quite amazing to read the works of people, created in God's image, each doing their part to reveal a little bit more of the grand picture He's painting down here. thanks!
That Beth Moore. She's something, isn't she? And then there's Paul. Wow. What a story...
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