169 How to Experience the Kind Presence of God with John Eldredge
Jan 27, 2025
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John Eldredge, the author of "Experience Jesus. Really," discusses the concept of being an 'ordinary mystic,' encouraging listeners to regularly experience the divine presence of God. He emphasizes that understanding isn't necessary to benefit from spiritual experiences, urging individuals to embrace their connection with Jesus, especially during difficult times. Eldredge also highlights the importance of turning toward God for healing, integrating fragmented parts of the heart, and nurturing emotional wounds through divine love.
Living as an 'ordinary mystic' encourages deeper, experiential relationships with God beyond analytical approaches to faith.
Turning towards Jesus during personal pain fosters healing and restoration by inviting Christ into our wounded and vulnerable parts.
Deep dives
Impact of Internet Discipleship on Spiritual Life
The internet has fundamentally altered how individuals engage with spiritual matters, conditioning many to expect instant responses and immediate gratification in their interactions with God. This expectation contrasts sharply with the practices of earlier generations, which valued patience and the gradual development of spiritual understanding. As a consequence, many people may feel a disconnect from God, mistakenly believing that silence signifies distance or neglect. By acknowledging this 'internet discipleship,' individuals can begin to understand how it has unwittingly damaged their capacity for genuine belief and communion with the divine.
Embracing Ordinary Mysticism
The concept of living as an 'ordinary mystic' invites individuals to cultivate a deeper, experiential relationship with God beyond mere analytical approaches to faith. This connects believers to the rich traditions of mysticism, revealing that many historical saints were simply ordinary people who enjoyed profound spiritual experiences. The emphasis on personal encounters with God underscores the importance of daily communion in a world where faith is often reduced to structured programs and analytical frameworks. Recognizing this, individuals can reclaim their right to a rich spiritual life filled with mystery and connection to the divine.
Experiential Healing Through Union with Christ
Turning towards Jesus amid personal pain allows individuals to experience healing and restoration in their spiritual and emotional lives. By acknowledging their wounded parts and inviting Christ into these vulnerable places, believers can forge deeper connections that lead to comfort and understanding. This transformative practice requires one to recognize that they possess the innate capacity to love and to be loved by God, despite past disappointments. Ultimately, the integration of fragmented parts through this heart-to-heart connection with Jesus serves as a powerful source of healing and wholeness in a fractured world.
John Eldredge returns to the podcast to talk about his newest book titled, “Experience Jesus. Really.” Topics covered include: how to live as an ordinary mystic (someone who experiences the sweet presence of God on a regular basis), why you don’t need to understand something to experience it and benefit from it, the importance of turning toward Jesus with the parts of our hearts that are not doing well, and how the presence of Jesus heals even the fragmented and traumatized parts of us.
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