YESTERDAY IS LIKE TODAY He went a little further, threw himself with his face to the ground and prayed, saying: My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not as I will, but as thou wilt. (Matthew 26:39, KJV) Could I have traveled to a distant land, an unknown place on the other side of the world? I somehow traveled to a hostile society in a strange culture with a different language, and yet I didn't leave the comfort of my room? And in doing so, meet the most significant person in my life? I think I did. My typical evening prayer transformed into an extraordinary prayer when I reflected on Jesus' great suffering while alone in the Garden of Gethsemane. His earthly companions abandoned him despite everything. They could not continue to pray during that fearful hour while he sweated drops of blood in preparation for departing from the Father. I took the Bible and held on to it as if it were a life raft. For some reason it had never occurred to me until then what a privilege it was to have the rest of the story in my hands. Something my ancient brothers could only hope to do for at least a little while. Yet, they had the indescribable benefit of having met the Lord face to face! Jesus was no more human than that night in the garden and the next day when he hung on the cross. And no longer God as he held his all-consuming power in check, not to give up, but rather to keep his promise to us forever. My experience occurred immediately after reading the famous passage from Matthew. Even though I had read it several times before, this time the reality of his pain brought me out of denial. He drew strength from my knees – He created an immediate and overwhelming desire to direct my prayer not only to Him, but with… middle of paper… since then I should have more personal encounters with the Savior night, I've never had another one like it. Since all prayers are not the same, I realized that they cannot always reach that level of intensity. The questions still remained: Did I travel to a distant land, an unknown place on the other side of the world and not leave the comfort of my room? Yet, meeting the most significant person in my life? Well, maybe not physically. But I did it in spirit. Words? What words can I find that express my deep appreciation and debt to the God of my salvation? I can't help but feel admiration for him and his desire to love each of us so intimately. Therefore, I humbly and completely offer myself, not just in words or prayer, but as a living testimony of the most significant person in the world. my life: Jesus, who is the Lord! References: 1 Luke 15:3-10 and John 10:11