I met with God the other night. It was unexpected. It wasn’t during a regular prayer routine or at a weekly church service. Instead, I found myself walking with him while hiking through the mountains I love. I wasn’t feeling particularly spiritual that evening. In fact, I’d been kind of avoiding him.
Rich golden meadows stretched out before me, magnifying the deep blue sky against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks. The air hummed with life, yet felt still, as if it were holding its breath. It was beautiful and serene, yet wild—a place that might seem dangerous if you didn’t know you were safe. And there, I suddenly felt his presence. Peace enveloped me, and I soaked in every tiny detail: the blue of the sky, the yellow fields, the soft green fur of the trees, and the gentle breeze on my face.
In that moment, there was nowhere else I wanted to be. My usual angst and anxiety melted away. Worries about relationships, failures, and the world’s chaos evaporated. As I hiked through the fields, looking for signs of wildlife and basking in the cosmic beauty, I realized this was more than just “logging off” or taking a mental break. This was holy ground, a glimpse of heaven. Something was happening beyond the benefits of self-care. I felt God walking right there next to me.
No matter the challenges we're facing, emotional and spiritual health flows from a meaningful connection with God. It’s this divine connection that helps us transcend not only our own pain but also our differences with other people.
Think of those moments when you feel deeply connected to someone—a child, spouse, sibling, or close friend. You’re not just interacting; you’re fully present. These moments can happen unexpectedly, perhaps over a meal or on a family outing. Suddenly, you’re not focused on their frustrating habits or the grievances you’ve been holding. Your mental checklist of things you wish they’d change disappears. Instead, you’re wrapped up in the joy of simply being together. In that moment, walls melt away, and you’re filled with a loving tranquility.
These sacred moments don’t necessarily solve all of our problems. But they do help us transcend pain points and differences that may be impossible to resolve in this life. Coping tactics, boundaries, resilience, and emotional regulation are all incredibly important, but alone, they aren’t enough. We need something deeper. We need these God-moments, these glimpses of transcendence.
What if the loneliness and disconnection we feel isn’t resolved just by spending more time or putting more effort into our communication? What if it’s also healed, in part, by these moments of transcendence?
Transcendence refers to experiencing something beyond ordinary limits—a state of connection or understanding that feels expansive and often deeply spiritual. In Christianity, transcendence primarily describes God’s nature as being above and beyond the physical universe, our human understanding, and our earthly limitations. God exists outside of space and time, unbound by the constraints that affect us. At the same time, Christian theology teaches that while God is transcendent, he is also immanent—close, present, and actively involved in the world and in our individual lives. He knows our deepest thoughts and cares for us intimately.
The truth is, we can tap into these transcendent moments not only with God but also in our relationships with others. When we experience God’s love, he sees beyond our pain, our sin, and our self-defeating thoughts. We feel a little lighter, a little freer from the weight of the heavy burdens that we carry. What if, as we embrace these moments of release and connection with God, we’re empowered to bring that same depth of presence into our relationships with the people we long to love?
Moments of worship, prayer, or awe-inspiring experiences in nature can give us a sense of God’s transcendent presence, grounding us in his love and peace. These moments not only deepen our faith but also soften our human pain, making what once felt overwhelming seem manageable. But when we’re disconnected from God’s loving presence, we also tend to lose our ability to see beyond temporary struggles, differences, and disappointments with other people.
As Jesus said, “Abide in me, and I in you.” (John 15:4). His invitation isn’t just about spiritual disciplines—it’s about keeping the eyes of our hearts open for those moments when God’s healing presence shows up unexpectedly.
That evening on the mountain didn't solve my problems. But I came down from that hike changed. In that quiet space of transcendence, I glimpsed peace, healing, and the gentle force of God’s love. And that glimpse gave me the courage to face the challenges ahead.
