“Ah-ha” moments with Jesus…. even typing that makes me smile. I don’t know that there’s anything better than an ah-ha moment with Jesus! Really, I don’t think there’s anything better. But even as I type that, I have to ask myself: “If I love ah-ha moments with Jesus more than anything, what gets in the way of having them?”
From experience, I know whenever I intentionally hang out with Jesus, I always have an ah-ha moment. And they come in different forms.
Often it’s a “DUH” ah-ha moment. Do you know what I mean? These are the times He says what might be the simplest thing, something that everyone already knows, but at that very time I need to hear it and it rocks my world!
Or when I am worried and as I just sit with Him and I get filled with peace, he reminds me that He is the Prince of Peace and that peace is always available. Ah-ha!
Or when I am reading through a story in the Gospels and He makes something become real. When I’m listening to a friend talk, or a sermon, or praying with someone and Jesus comes through and says something that opens us up to an entirely new way of looking at the situation. Ah-ha! So, if ah-ha moments with Jesus are the best, why don’t I experience more of them? I realize it’s not Him, it’s me! Every time I make time to hang with Him, I have an ah-ha moment. That is the key: making time!
Pondering this led me to think of one of the places I do consistently make room for meeting Jesus: when meeting with my Triad. Talk about a place where those ah-ha moments have happened. During Triad, I can honestly bank on having at least one, if not many, every time. (I am not exaggerating.)
If you are currently in a Triad, I’d guess you are nodding along with me, quite possibly with a big smile on your face, as you think of yours. Or, if you haven’t heard of this thing called “Triad”, you are wondering what in the world I am talking about? A “Triad” is a structured group of 3 people who meet up on a regular basis and practice listening prayer together. A specific time where we purposely practice both being heard and hearing others, while listening for ourselves and each other to what Jesus is saying.
And every single time, without exception, He has ah-ha things to say! He is so good that way. Let me tell you my Triad history: I have been in a Triad for several years. And as you can tell, I am a huge fan! At the beginning, though, I almost missed the boat. When I was asked to join one, I almost said no. I really didn’t think I had time for “yet another meeting” on my calendar. And even though the commitment was only once a month for 2 hours, I just didn’t know if I wanted to fit it in. Thankfully, though, wisdom kicked in and I decided to pray about it. I decided to commit and give it a try. And let me tell you: best decision ever!
And as I flip through my journal from the notes I’ve taken during our Triad sessions, the “ah-ha” moments fill the pages! There is a God, He loves us, He cares, and He talks to us! Having this scheduled time once a month to intentionally make room to listen to Him together, to practice hearing those ah-ha things He has to say, has been so life-giving and faith building.
Are Triads a magical format? Does He only show up when you Triad? Is Triad even a verb? Of course not. But I think the “magic” happens whenever we purposefully put time aside to actively listen. Jesus says “My sheep hear My voice” but for some reason this can be a struggle for many of us to believe. Or if you are like me, you may totally believe it but realize time flies by when you get busy and you just haven’t had time to listen. A Triad sets up a time and space for you and 2 friends to practice hearing Him and to see that He means it – we can hear His voice and He does have ah-ha things for us!
For me, joining a Triad has designated a time, once a month, in my schedule where I know I will have the time to talk to and listen to Jesus. It has become an easy rhythm to carve out this space. And it has become so precious to me. Also, the added beauty is I get to do this with my friends as well as with Jesus, thus having Him deposit “ah-ha” moments not only into my own life but into their lives too. Ain’t nothing better than watching my friend get encouraged, built up, receive breakthrough, and hear exactly what she needs to hear from Jesus. So good! And the relationship between my friends and I has become so deep in the process. When we get to hear Jesus’ thoughts about someone, when we get to feel His heart for someone, we just fall more in love with each other!
So is this an ad for Triads? Maybe! When you find a good thing you want to share it! But more importantly, I want to encourage us all to make room for those “ah-ha” moments with Jesus. However that looks in our lives today. He is a Person, He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and He wants to talk with us!
So let’s pray, “Thank You Jesus, that You love us so much and want to fill our lives with more ah-ha moments! Thank You that Your Word says we can hear Your voice, that You want to be our friend, and that nothing can stand between us and You. We say ‘YES’ right now to more ah-ha moments. We say ‘YES’ to making time to be known and to get to know You. We say ‘YES’ to asking for You to help us to create habits and rhythms in our schedules that make room for the ah-ha moments with You, Jesus!”
P.S. If you are interested in Triads and want more details: http://www.citysalt.org/triads
About the Author
Pam is a fun and encouraging team-builder that brings the best to those around her. She loves people and is committed to serving and mentoring kids, women and families with opportunities to grow closer to God and each other.
Pam is currently serving as Children and Family Pastor at Valley Christian Center in Albany. Pam and her husband, Jared, have been married since 2005 and have three boys. Their family will always be a much loved part of our CitySalt family.