You have read of Blaise Pascal, the famous 17th century French scientist often classed as one of the six great thinkers of all time. He was considered a genius in mathematics, and his scientific inquiry was broad. He was a philosopher and a writer, but best of all, he experienced a personal, overhwelming encounter with God one night that changed his life.
Pascal wrote on a piece of paper a brief account of his experience, folder the paper and kept it in a pocket close to his heart, apparently as a reminder of what he had felt. Those who attending him at his death found the worn, creased paper. In Pascal's own hand it read:
"From about half-past ten and night to about half-after midnight--fire! O God of abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob--not the God of the philosophers and the wise. The God of Jesus Christ who can be known only in the ways of the Gospel. Security--feeling--peace--joy--tears of joy. Amen."
...The living God had broken through and beyond all that was human and intellectual and philosophical. The astonished Pascal could only describe in one word the visitation in his spirit: "Fire!" (90 & 91)
Father, You met Pascal 354 years ago just like You wonderfully and graciously met me nine years ago in what I have only been able to describe, like Pascal, as "a massively overwhelming sense of Your power, peace, love, and security as I broke down in tears, not caring who was around me." Words to define Your greatness have since eluded me.
"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." -Jesus (Luke 15:10)
1 comment:
Amen, brother - words can't describe that moment when we really SEE Jesus. So good!
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