Spiritual Journeys: A Personal Relationship with God

Spiritual Journeys seeks to illuminate the way for those who are out there searching for a deeper connection and for those who have lost their way. Spiritual Journeys and every post on Feasting on the Divine welcomes conversation. Use the comment section to join in. Need a little more privacy? Email me.

Today's post is an interview with Dr. Lyn Cheevers! She shares her story with an honesty in which we all can relate. My hope is that her words bless you and motivate you to follow her one key piece of advice which she shares in her interview.

Tell us a little about who you are:

I am a child of God. I believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I grew up in rural southwest Georgia. I am the mother of two sons- Stephen 20 and Anthony 12. I am the daughter of Hilton and Virginia Cheevers. I am a sister. I am a friend and lover of humanity.

I hold a Doctor of Education in adult education and have worked as a educator in the field of adult education for about 18 years in different capacities with different titles. I'm currently employed by the Department of Defense as a training administrator.  Teaching is one of my spiritual gifts and I often use that gift within the body of Christ while facilitating workshops, Sunday school, and new members’ classes.

What and when was your first glimpse of a spiritual awakening?

My first glimpse of a spiritual awakening was when I was about 7 or 8 years old. I had a dream about a group of people walking on a path toward a destination. At some point the group was pursued by what seemed to be a lion. The group reached a fork in the road. One part of the group went in one direction with the remainder going in the other direction.

I shared the dream with my mother. She thought it was significant and mentioned it during Bible Study at church one evening. I stood in front of the church to share the dream. God was awakening the gift of the prophetic seer. The dream that I had was foretelling a Church split which occurred several years later.

I've had many dreams over the years. I journal them and pray for illumination and inspiration to pray effectively according to the will of God in light of the revelation.

What is the importance of your spiritual life?

My spiritual life is essential to every aspect of life. I believe wisdom is required to successfully navigate through life and that all wisdom begins with a reverential fear of God. Therefore in order for me to be successful in life I must reverently fear God by worshipping and serving Him.

     What was the most difficult part of your journey? What was the most inspiring?

The most difficult part of my spiritual journey was finding God for myself. I grew up in a home of believers and attended church regularly as a child; however, I did not develop a personal relationship with God through Christ until later in life. During that time when I was in search of my own relationship with God, I traveled some pretty dark paths. There was a void in the seat of my soul. I'm thankful that my soul is now anchored in God through Christ.

The most inspiring part of the journey is coming to the realization that God knows my name, that my image is tattooed on the palm of His hand. And that He sees me, hears me, and answers my prayers according to His purposes.

   As much as you are comfortable, share some things that have strengthen your faith.

My faith is always strengthened when God brings me through challenging times. There was a time as a divorced, single mother I was unemployed for nine months.  God met all of my needs according to His riches in glory. He provided food, shelter and clothing for me and my children. These are things that many take for granted until you find yourself in need. We ate a lot of pasta and rice but God saw us through. I know God personally as Jehovah Jireh.

I know God personally as Jehovah Rapha. In 2011 I was very ill. I had a respiratory infection, bronchitis, and a small amount of fluid in my lungs. During the illness I heard about a seemingly healthy, 30- something year-old dying of walking pneumonia.

I received my healing when I was asked a very provocative question by my mother. As a retired nurse, she didn't ask me about the types of antibiotics I had taken.  She didn't ask me about how much fluids I was drinking or what I was taking to reduce the high fever. She asked me simply "how is your prayer life"? I knew immediately that this was spiritual warfare and mom was reminding me to fight using one of the best offensive and defensive tools we have- prayer.  She and others were praying for me, but this fight required my participation as well.  The enemy wanted to take me out. But God said no. I began to pray according to Psalm 91 daily, several times a day at appointed times. The Word was the prescription which healed me. 

I know God personally as Jehovah Shalom. I've worked in a very chaotic environment for the past two years. God has given me peace in the midst of the storm.

  If you could give one piece of advice to others on their spiritual journey, what would that be?

Advice that I give to others on their spiritual journey is seek an intimate, personal relationship with God early in life.

Thank you, Dr. Lyn!

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.  Proverbs 16:24