Psalm 150—what many call the grand finale of the Psalms. It’s loud, joyful, full of life. But, if you’re anything like me, that kind of praise doesn’t always come naturally... especially when life feels hard or when God feels distant.
That’s why I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to actually experience Jesus. Not just believe in Him. Not just think about Him. But really experience Him—in the quiet moments, in the chaos, and yes, even in the letdowns. I have a call with my closest friends every week to talk about life and our walks with Jesus. Experiencing Jesus is something we all struggle with. All of us are good talking theology, history, and thinking about Jesus. However, when it comes to being still, talking to and listening to Jesus, it's so difficult! For some it comes naturally, but for me it’s been a work in progress.
In his book Experience Jesus, Really, John Eldredge reminds us that Jesus is not a theory. He’s not a concept. He is alive. Present. Willing to meet us in reality. And He invites us to interact with Him as personally as we would with a friend sitting right next to us. Shifting that mindset can be a bit jarring because, at least at this moment, we can’t see Jesus. Yet, He’s a real person—just as real as you and me and George Washington (or anyone else from history). We can connect with Him, talk to Him, feel His presence, and know He truly gets us.
Psalm 150 isn’t just about noise and instruments, it’s about presence. It’s about encountering the goodness of God with your whole being. Not because life is perfect, but because Jesus is real and able to walk with us.
So, let me ask you something I’ve been asking myself:
Have you been experiencing Jesus… or is he just a passing thought?
If the answer is “I don’t know,” or “Not really,” you’re not alone. But maybe that’s your invitation to bring Jesus into your real life. Into your work meeting. Your errands. Your worries. Your joy. Ask Him questions. Sit with Him. Let Him speak. We were made to live a life of worship not just in song, but in relationship. Allow it to be awkward and don’t try to figure it all out as if it’s a science experiment. That’s what I try to do, I want to understand it all before I rest in it. However, Jesus invites us to come to Him right where He is. That’s the life we were meant to live. One where we’re walking with Jesus daily and experiencing His presence. That kind of life doesn’t come from head knowledge. It comes from daily practice of an experience with Jesus.
I hope take a real step toward experiencing Jesus in every breath.
