I attempt for distractions-free prayer areas, and I used to be certain the stateroom balcony on our once-in-a-lifetime cruise could be such a spot. A monotonous horizon of water stretched in each route. I had nowhere to be, no agenda, and as a lot time as I desired. But my mind refused to settle. Distracting ideas disturbed my psyche. The phrases of the day’s Scripture readings tasted like sawdust. I couldn’t discover a reference to God. Annoyed, I requested God for assist.

Then an thought instructed itself. Strive music! Music is usually a fantastic catalyst for prayer. God makes use of it to the touch deep locations inside me. So I referred to as up a Christian music station and prayed that no matter tune offered itself would lead me to my Lord.

Certain as I’m penning this, God selected a tune only for me that day. Its mild melody and candy lyrics drowned me in God’s love, proper there on that balcony:

You name me out upon the waters
The nice unknown the place ft could fail
And there I discover you within the thriller
In oceans deep…

My eyes burned with tears because the group, Hillsong UNITED, sang the lyrics of “Oceans,” that gave voice to what was my deep want: “I’ll name upon your title and maintain my eyes above the waves.”

Distractions felt like waves I may let cross. I reveled within the solar’s reflection dancing throughout the waters. “My soul will relaxation in your embrace,” the soloist sang. And I used to be drawn to reply, “I really like you, Lord.” I regarded out on the water with renewed love for its creator.

However the solar was too intense. I couldn’t take within the view with out elevating my hand to dam the disc of the solar. Now I may proceed to reward the God who made the sunshine, which, mirrored on the water, appeared like one million diamonds. The solar hidden behind my hand was nonetheless dominant and robust, with its rays dancing on the ocean’s floor. My coronary heart stuffed with a way that God was proper there with me. And that’s after I turned conscious of God’s voice inside. I heard not actual phrases however skilled extra of an instantaneous perception:

I’m your Creator, too highly effective so that you can comprehend. Simply as you can’t look immediately on the solar, you aren’t able to look immediately at me. However you see me mirrored in myriad methods throughout you.

All I may do was marvel and rejoice.

Out of the blue a reminiscence surfaced, at God’s prompting. I remembered Moses asking God, “Present me your glory, I pray.” However God answered, “Nobody shall see me and reside.” (Exodus 33:18–20) I sensed with marvel that this was why Jesus turned human: so I may take a look at God as a lot as I wished with out being overpowered. And since God lives in all folks, we are able to see God’s mirrored mild, whether or not the particular person we see is aware of it or not. The solar dances otherwise on tough seas and glassy calm. However the identical solar is mirrored.

I felt gratitude to God for initiating our awe-inspiring dialog that day. Whereas the singer continued the prayer in tune, I thanked the Lord for letting me mirror God, simply as the ocean displays the solar. I gave thanks that I’m made to be a mirror of God’s radiance. I requested God’s fixed glowing to burn away complaining phrases and go away me with the overwhelming gratitude I felt in that second.

I used to be reminded of my deepest want, that’s, to like God in different folks and to attract nearer to the aim for which I used to be created: an eternity with Jesus in heaven.