Can your passion for something be your unique connection point with the Lord? If so, what would yours be and how does it inspire you to a deeper relationship with the Lord?

A God-given passion

I love listening to classical music. I’ll listen to it while I plan student piano lessons or as I’m preparing meals, I listen to calming classical music when I need rest or enjoy some lively ones when I need upliftment.

I have a love for Bach’s “Jesu joy of man’s desiring”. It is one of those pieces that reminds me that the joy of the Lord is my strength and that I must make Jesus the main focus of my life. It calms my spirit when I listen to it or play it on the piano.

Do you have a favourite song or melody that inspires you into a deeper relationship with Jesus?

I think it is because the Lord has placed this passion for music in my heart that he often speaks to me through music or things related to music. Often, I awake with a song in my heart that either worships the Lord or gives me courage for the day ahead. It usually relates to a passage in the Bible that I’ve read during the early hours when it is still quiet in our household, or the bible study we did with the children the evening before.

Yet sometimes I’m met with only silence, and trusting becomes hard. Then I have to ask myself: do I have enough oil in my lamp to keep going?

A spirit preserved

In 2021 I was going through a very tough time. I struggled with rejection and feelings of inadequacy and almost turned away from the Lord because of good intended words from a friend that caused more harm than good. I was overwhelmed with so many things: coming to a new country, starting to teach piano and fighting feelings that I’m not good enough and feeling like an imposter.

One day I was sitting at the dining room table and feeling so overwhelmed that I just laid my head on the table asking the Lord if I could just rest for a while…

I saw a vision that day of me standing in a garden. It was so beautiful that it must’ve been in heaven. I felt God’s presence like a blazing sun, shining His love upon me (that is the only way I can explain it.) I didn’t see Him, I just felt his love. Then Jesus came and I danced with him. He smiled and I felt so loved, so complete in that moment, that I could’ve stayed there forever.

Have you ever had an encounter with the Lord?

In the word we read about many instances in which people were visited by God or encountered Jesus unexpectedly.

I love this verse in Job 10:12 KJV:

"Thou has granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit."

That day the Lord’s care preserved my life. His love helped me to overcome a spirit of depression. It helped me to put on a garment of praise, and to see myself as loved. It helped me to start hearing music again and gave a new depth to those compositions. He replenished my oil and gave me the strength to move forward.

Lately I’ve again been challenged by feelings of overwhelm and inadequacy, but just writing this blog, is helping me to shift my focus to him. To turn my heart towards gratitude for the people in my life and putting on blinkers like a horse so that I don’t get distracted by worldly things.

What areas of your life do you need to let God shine his love upon?

Psalm 94:19 KJV "In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comfort delight my soul."

Let me know if you ever had an encounter with the Lord that still replenishes your oil today.

May this encourage you to go into the presence of the Lord daily and seek your comfort in him. Search for your God-given passion and ask God how to use it for his Kingdom.

Numbers 6:24 - 26 KJV " The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace."

With love

Catherina