‘On Cloud Nine’ With Jesus

By: Nancy Abiera

 

“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5

The classic love song goes… “I’ll see you In September when summer is gone…”

As the hot summer ends In September, the colorful season of autumn begins. Filipinos prepare this early for Christmas.

I recall migrating to America In September, 38 years ago as if it was just yesterday. I had a great start quite similar to the beautiful and colorful “Autumn Leaves”.

Everything was new to me: weather, country, language, marital status, job, friends, family, faith, church, ETC. My life was like a Picasso painting no ordinary person can understand.

I had mixed excitement and exhaustion feeling overwhelmed while I spiraled fast down to the pit of depression. Chaos came from all over and I got homesick. The U.S. culture-shock traumatized me. I was used to the strong family ties with shoulders to cry and lean on. Americans seem so busy that no one bothers reaching out. I had no other choice but go deep: Think… Reflect… and Pray. . .

One day, someone shared and asked me to open my heart and invite Jesus into my Life. I was desperate so I did. To my amazement, my depression lifted instantaneously and I felt joy unspeakable. It was like a light switched on and dispelled darkness. It did not make sense to me at all at first. Yet slowly, my life changed and I was transformed.

“Crisis” provoked me to ask and seek who “Christ-is” and showed me the beautiful landscapes of meaningful purpose, direction and beauty.

Jesus became so real in my life. His revelations continue unfolding with such sweet taste of His goodness, love and mercy. It was life-giving in simple and practical ways yet very powerful.

I was spiritually dull and self-righteous before. But when Jesus gave me one miracle after another right before my eyes, l got scared yet wonder: “God does not make sense… He makes miracles”. Amen!!!

I was on “Cloud-9” with Jesus seeing His supernatural miracles, signs and wonders. The “Impossible” with men shifted to “I’m-Possible!” with God.

The journey changed from falling down deeper in depression to falling in love deeply with Jesus. Gone are the days I worked alone and burn-out. I was on fire with my Savior and Lord!

My faith in Jesus is like falling in love with Him and being on Cloud-9. Trusting Jesus and making Him my first priority made everything beautiful and successful. Wow!

My old ways focused on religion which are the “do’s and don’ts” for God. However, my new experience highlighted what Jesus had done for me. It is all about Jesus and my relationship with Him that matters most.

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. . . “ Hebrews 12:2a

What about you?

Have you had a supernatural God experience that left you speechless?

Have you ever fallen in love with Jesus so great, high, deep and wide…so glorious and real?

If so, you probably want more so keep loving and living for Jesus. He is forever the one and only lover of our souls.

If not, perhaps you need a jump-started like I did. Or worst: burnt-out living the “same-ol’- same-ol’… feeling void inside like running on empty tank and clueless as to where you are headed.

Better yet, let us all open our hearts and invite Jesus as we dedicate and/or rededicate ourselves to be forever faithful to God and commit to Him alone.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your great love through Jesus who died for us so we can live blessed on earth and glorious in heaven forever.

Jesus, we thank You for loving, saving and restoring us back as true children of God.

Holy Spirit, we thank You for giving us wisdom, truth and peace to live like Jesus. Amen.

Always choose “On A Bright Side” moving further and farther “On A Brightest Side”. I love you readers with the love of the Lord yet the Lord loves you the most. You are blessed, anointed and highly favored by God. Smile and be a blessing!