I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up into the
third heaven… 2 Corinthians 12: 2,7.
Here Paul describes his greatest ‘agony and ecstasy’. Because his
opponents were bragging about their visions and experiences, and
claiming as a result to be ‘one up’ on the apostle, Paul very
reluctantly describes his ecstatic experience too. Circumstances have
forced him to do it, and so in a strangely oblique way he speaks of
himself in the third person. Paul was entirely passive – almost a
spectator and hearer, without any volition of his own.
Paul’s reticence about relating his spiritual experiences is seen again
in Galatians 1:15,16. There he describes his dramatic conversion
experience in an objective, almost impersonal way: ‘God in his grace
chose me, called me to serve him, decided to reveal his Son to me…’
When you read 1 Corinthians 12-14 carefully, you’ll find that Paul
doesn’t belittle unusual spiritual experiences or explain them away.
He simply wants to put them into proper perspective.
Has God done something quite dramatic in your life – given you a
spiritual ‘high’? Good. Has God done nothing like this in your life at
all? Good. He knows some of us need more experiential proof of his
reality. Others don’t. He knows best.
Lord, you may come as a mighty wind or as a gentle breeze. Either way,
I delight in your love, and welcome you afresh into my life. Amen.
I’m ready, Lord, however your Spirit comes. Amen.