Meeting with God in prayer. And ecstasy. Because without some sense of being caught up, embraced, confronted and met with by the God of Glory and Goodness; well, it can all seem a bit dreary, can it not? So for me, prayer and excitement in engaging with it always has this sense of expectation, and the need for moments of tasted fulfilment and consummation. But that by itself can seem a little too self indulgent.
I’m so aware of two things. Firstly, ecstasy is not the end we seek. Many approaches, religious and otherwise – even now, a tablet – can bring experience of ecstasy. Which has to bring doubt as to whether this is the summit of Christian meaningfulness. Secondly, ecstasy in the Bible always finds context in another, bigger picture. Whether we look at Exodus 34, Jeremiah 31, Joel 2 or Ezekiel 36; Acts 2 or 4 or the baptism of Jesus, the mount of transfiguration or the Ascension, all of these and related passages are set in the context of being taken up and involved in the plans and purposes of God: the mission of God.
And this makes sense. The profoundest moments of communion with God come, not when we seek it for our own gratification, but when as willing servants of God we focus on the hope of the Resurrection Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Relationships, mending with forgiveness and reconciliation. And give our creativity and imagination to pursuing this and sharing the vision with others.
What a relief.
