His Glory

 

I had the opportunity to walk the grounds of one of the oldest and most beautiful colleges in the Midwest. Voted the #1 Best Value Liberal Arts College in the nation, it welcomes students from 26 countries, representing a variety of faith backgrounds. There are 125 years of history within its walls.

Thousands of prayers.

As I walked inside the old church, allowing my imagination to wander, I could almost hear the hymns being sung and the many messages preached from the pulpit.

How many lives were changed because of their dedication and submission to God.  Their willingness to let go of themselves so they could discover God’s purpose for their lives and the reason they were created.

Going after their destiny. Running after God.

Faithful, available, and teachable.

I would have loved to be a fly on the wall, just to experience what they experienced.

As I continued to make my way up the stairs, every step seemed to bring me closer to a new revelation.

I came across hundreds of volumes on church history. Walls filled with books, each containing years of history. Every step brought me closer to what awaited me at the end of the room.

As I walked through, I noticed the large church organ, a small desk with information about the college, and a wing chair sitting by the window.

I felt such peace in that room.

I stood there for what seemed like an eternity, not wanting to move. Reluctantly, I made my way down the stairs, only to return once again.

There was something special about that little room upstairs. I wanted to take pictures of it, to capture the moment, if that were even possible.

This time, I brought my daughter and my phone. I wanted a picture of myself sitting by the window. My daughter took several shots, and we left.

Sometime later, as I was looking through the pictures, I noticed the light coming through in one of the photographs of me sitting by the window.

Then I realized that, thanks to technology, we had been able to capture what looked like a glimpse of heaven—the rays of His glory.

His presence had been so tangible, and now I had a photograph that reminded me of that precious encounter.

This was the second time in the last few months that I had experienced what felt like a glimpse of heaven.

If we are willing to press on, if we yield to His presence, if we search for more of Him, if we thirst and hunger for more of Him, we will find Him.

For His presence filled that room.

It was as though the light of heaven had come down and dwelt among us. His presence was felt, and He allowed me to feel it, too.

I don’t know about you, but when we seek Him with all our heart, mind, and soul, He will not disappoint us.

For He will meet us there.

I saw the old church. I went inside looking for Him, and I found Him.

For He was waiting for me, sitting by the window, overlooking the Mississippi River below.

Our Lord and Savior is calling.

He is willing to meet with you at the most unexpected times.

Don’t allow distractions to move you away from Him. Don’t allow what is taking place around you to rob you of intimacy with the Lord.

I was on vacation.

I had no plans for an encounter.

But the Lord gifted me with His peace, His presence, and His love.

Ivette Diaz-Yee
July 2023
Principia College
Elsah, Illinois