Items of a spiritual nature
With Reference to the Photograph of the Master Jesus
When this first came into my possession, it reminded
me of my own encounter (of sorts) with the Presence of
Jesus. It was the darkest hour of my sojourn here.
And it was dark - I didn't know which way to turn. I
was at my wits' end. It was too much. When a song
came into my head (stronger than usual as though
implanted) from the days of my Evangelical youth and
roots.
Jesus Saviour, pilot me,
Over life's tempestous sea.
Chart and compass come from Thee,
Jesus Saviour - pilot me.
As I sang that song to myself, (it was also a prayer) a calm descended on me and I felt a Presence in the room. A palpable Presence that I took to be Jesus. It was as though he was saying to me (in consciouness) 'I am with you in this'. Whereupon, the immediate crisis passed and I drew new strength from the experience as well as the courage to carry on.
I have since learned that the song was indeed implanted to get my mind off of my predicament and focus it on Jesus. So that when I saw that photograph for the first time, it conjured up in me, an image of what I imagine I might have seen (had I been able to) of what I experienced that fateful night. Which is why it had such a profound effect on me.
* There were actually 2 more lines to that verse (quoted above) but this is what I remember of it; and the reason for it is, that I made a mantra of it - in that form. It has served me well in my soul's journey here toward gaining a greater measure of spiritual maturity.
E.Baerg