https://odb.org/MY/2022/07/05/wisdom-and-understanding
I think while it is outstanding and astounding that Julian of Norwich spent 20 years praying in isolation to seek the Lord after seeing visions of Jesus’ crucifixion as she was healed from a sa crerious and potentially fatal illness, it is probably not something practical in the modern world. That was in the 14th century. To spend 20 years in solitude praying to seek the meaning of those visions now would look very much an opporunity lost to share and testify of that experience – but the point remains that God speaks and reveals things to us, during ancient times speaking to Abraham and Moses and all the prophets, to Paul and the other Apostles, to Julian of Norwich as well as to us here in 2022. The Lord reveals of Himself and the mysteries of the Kingdom as we seek Him in prayer, as we dwell and meditate upon His Word.
I’m sure many of us have experienced receiving revelations from God as we read His Word. Something like a different perspective to a passage of Scripture. As we read on and pray, God may reveal an aspect of Him that we didn’t see before in a familiar bible passage. To those of us who prepare sermons, we know that even as God speaks, we must never take passages out of context. Any Scripture needs to be read in the context of the chapter and the book and in line with the literary style of the period it was written, in consistency with the cultural practices of that time and most importantly in conformity with the established tenets of our faith. We are not here to propagate a new movement of the Christian faith! Although God may use a passage or word to speak to us literally, it is not wise to rely on its literal meaning to form the basis of a message or sermon. A personal Word to us is not the same as a Word for sharing with others or a congregation or for teaching.
Having said that, I encourage that we all seek to pursue the Lord speaking to us through His Word as revelations confirm and assure us that God is alive and real to us in our personal context. As we read and pray and meditate, ask that He opens up our mind to see and our hearts to receive of His Word to edify and encourage and strengthen us. For Him to let us know and assure us that He is with us as we go through the rigours and the ups and downs of life, its many challenges and storms. The reality of God in our lives is an essential facet of our faith that we must cherish and cling on to dearly. We have the means and the ability as a child of God redeemed by the blood of Christ to reach out to the most powerful force in the universe, a direct line to the Great I Am, the Almighty God, the creator of heavens and earth. Read His Word, study it, meditate upon it and He will give and teach us the Wisdom of His ways!
Ronnie's Thoughts 