What I am about to share is not something easy to just put out there for everyone, but I have felt in my heart that someone needed to hear it. I share this not to brag or lift myself up in anyway, but through this vulnerability my prayer is that you are encouraged and that the Father is glorified through it! For it is nothing that I have done, but everything HE has done and that HE is doing. So here it goes…
Recently, I have identified a huge fear that has a big grip in my life, rejection. My whole life I have been a people pleaser, trying to just fit in wherever and whomever I am around, and always seeking the approval of others. This past month God has been revealing distinct occurrences throughout my life where I have experienced rejection. I have been asking Him to remove these lies that are deeply woven into my life and heart and to replace it with His truth and to reveal Himself to me in a real way.
A few days ago my team and I were doing a listening exercise and the questioned was asked, “Who does the Father say that I am?” During this time I laid on a couch with my eyes closed and was listening to what He had to say.
As I lay there with my eyes closed He began to give me a vivid vision. I saw a bright light outside walking down the sidewalk and it came in the gate and up to the front door. The door opened slowly and a glowing man/being dressed in white walked in. He looked over at me lying on the couch and calmly walked over. He laid His hand on my shoulder and quietly said, “Preston, be still. I know the fear and insecurities that you have. There is no need to seek others approval or to be a people pleaser because I am the one whose approval you need to be seeking. You can let go of that because you have My approval. I accept you exactly the way you are because you are My adopted son. I am pleased and delighted in you. Look at the holes in my hands. It’s really me and I really came down to this very earth that we are on right now. I lived the perfect life and was the perfect sacrifice for YOU. I did this because I love and care about you far more than you can fathom. You are not rejected, but accepted by Me. Let go of all the insecurity that you have and put your confidence and trust in Me. I see you spotless and without blemish because of what I have done for you. I am always here with you.”
Later that morning I went into my room to journal and process what I had seen. As I began to write, it hit me, the man/being dressed in white that I had seen was Jesus. I had just experienced a supernatural encounter with Jesus! I immediately began to weep and fell on my back in utter awe of Him. The only thing I could do in that moment was worship and pray to Him. I felt His presence in such a real, loving, and powerful way. There are no words that come close to or that could properly describe what I experienced. The only thing that comes remotely close is that is was beautiful and intimate.
Our heavenly Father is real and alive! He loves and cares about you far more than you know. He desires to have a relationship with you. If you don’t believe me, I challenge you to ask Him to reveal Himself to you and what He has to say about who you truly are. John 16:23-24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
