“I felt my heart strangely warmed”
~John Wesley, 1738

Churches of the Wesleyan tradition around the world celebrate this moment where John Wesley felt the grace of God in a very real way. He was at group meeting on May 24th at Aldersgate Street, a meeting he did not want to be at, and while someone was preaching Wesley experienced something new and different. He wrote in his journal, “while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death."

John’s brother Charles experienced something similar just days before. Those who follow Wesleyan theology, like we do, call this moment an “Aldersgate moment.” It makes me thing back to my own first Aldersgate moment (which we’ll explore a bit on Sunday) and wonder if any of you have had this kind of moment?

I only wonder this because even though Aldersgate moments do not indicate where someone is in their faith or how close they are to God, it makes me continue to think about how God shows up in our lives. For me it’s the question of, “how do I know this is God talking to me?” It seems clear to me that this type of moment where we feel an odd sort of warmth deep within is the presence of the Holy Spirit. But does it only happen when we are recognizing God’s grace and our salvation through Jesus like it did for the Weasleys and myself? Or does it happen at other moments too?

These are just the rambling thoughts of your pastor and I truly do wonder what God’s intimate presence looks like for others. I truly want to know how we see God in the world, because everyone see’s and hears God’s voice differently, just like we explored with Elijah last Sunday.

So, as you go throughout your week, think on where you have experienced God and how you felt in those moments. I’d love to hear about it!

Comment your thoughts below!

Blessings friends,
Pastor Nicole