Troublesome circumstances are painfully obvious in daily life. It’s easy to look at the disturbances that we see around us and within us and to find plenty of reasons to feel despair and discouragement. We need a boost — something to put a joyful bounce in our step and lift us up. But where can we find such a boost?

When Moses’ life of abundance and privilege in Egypt fell apart and he had to lose everything and run for his life to the scarcity of the Midian desert, he didn’t lose hope. How did he not despair? “He persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.” In the heartbreak of his devastation and loss, Moses looked beyond his visible circumstances and beheld the One who makes all things work together for good for those who love God.

Seeing the invisible working of God is invigorating and empowering! I call it “the Jesus thrill!” The pain and brokenness that we experience as human beings can be the attention getter that wakes us up to the invisible and causes us to look “unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” As we behold the Lamb of God, the invisible Jesus thrill fills us and overflows from within us and shines visibly on our face. Then as J.D. Walt said: “The harder life is the better Jesus gets.”

Ever since I first experienced the Jesus thrill, I’ve tried to keep anything from distracting me from it. If you’re unaware of the presence of Jesus, you won’t be able to stat thrilled about Him. Open your spiritual eyes!

Christianity needs to be demonstrated and radiated more than it needs to be legislated, evaluated, and speculated about. It can be very disappointing to keep trying the pastor-lead, sermon-based church over and over again, expecting different results. If happiness isn’t happening in your heart, you won’t find it anywhere else.

Spiritual fire,
A burning desire
To get closer to God
Is a sign of spiritual life.

When Christians maintain
A Jesus thrill
They avoid spreading
A religious chill.