“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” -Matthew 11:28-30

He is real.

I got to meet these guys last night when they came to my hometown. It is a surreal kind of feeling to meet someone for the first time when you know their name, face, and all their songs. It made me feel kind of creepy because they didn't know me, yet I knew them. If you've ever "met" someone even remotely famous you probably know what I'm talking about. I remember shaking their hands, looking at their faces, and thinking "whoa, you're like a real person." I remember thinking something similar the first time I saw speakers such as Beth Moore or Francis Chan in person. Now, I know this may seem ridiculous because of course they are real people. If they weren't who else would write their music, bible studies, or books? But bear with me, I always had an idea in my head that they were real somewhere out in the world, but to see them with my own eyes, shake their hands; it made them real on a whole new level. This got me thinking about Jesus and how much I want to see Him with own eyes. To know about someone and then see them in full blown reality...it's a surreal kind of thing. It sounds so juvenile to say, but it made me wish I could shake His hand the way I shook each of their hands. It also made me realize that with Him, no introductions will be needed. He won't ask us our name. He'll know us...no, He DOES know us. It sank in on a whole new level about the reality of Jesus. Some of you may be thinking that is a stretch based on the fact that I only met a band, but it wasn't them (though they were really awesome people), it was the Holy Spirit. He is real. Just as real as you or me (in fact I think He is probably more real than us). My love for Him has grown.

To be honest, I initially felt honored at the opportunity to meet this band. I mean, I've been a faithful listener since I discovered them in high school (which is another story for another day).But then, God knocked me to my face with the realization that because of Jesus I have the opportunity to KNOW HIM. Not only can I know Him, but He chooses to know me. He chooses to know you. You are not a face in the crowd to Him. He knows you and loves you. Gosh, He really amazes me sometimes.

We can know Him now through faith. You can know Him today. Jesus once told a guy named Thomas, "...blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29). Glory to God that He is real even though our eyes can't see Him. But someday, yes someday we will see Him, face to face, eye to eye. "...Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be their God" (Revelation 21:3) He is real, my friends. More real than we ever dared to imagine.