Photo and Commentary ©2025 by Darren Milam
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
What comes to mind when you hear the word “encounter”? It’s a word that can carry many meanings—sometimes unsettling, sometimes awe-inspiring, and occasionally a mix of both. Take Moses, for example. His encounter with God at the burning bush must have been overwhelming. Imagine standing before a fire that speaks. I can only assume he was startled, maybe even afraid. And yet, what an incredible moment—to hear the voice of God.
Last evening, I had an encounter of my own. I was standing in our living room when I noticed movement outside. It was around 6 PM, still plenty of daylight. At first, I couldn’t quite make out what I was seeing. Then it moved again—an owl, hopping up the branches of our cherry blossom tree. It was a Barred Owl, climbing higher and higher until it reached a perch with a clear view. For nearly an hour, it sat there ruffling its feathers, swiveling its head, watching and listening. Sometimes it disappeared behind the leaves, other times it was fully visible, completely unbothered by its surroundings.
That encounter was remarkable. At first glance, I was surprised—maybe even a little startled. But that quickly gave way to awe. It’s not every day you get to witness such a beautiful, wild creature up close.
It made me think: what would it be like to hear the voice of God? Like Moses, I imagine we’d be stunned at first, then filled with reverence. While we may not experience a burning bush, we do encounter God in other ways—through His creation, in quiet moments of reflection, or in the stillness where His guidance becomes clear.
Whatever form it takes, be ready. Be ready to be awed. Be ready to act on the wisdom you receive. And most of all, be ready to share that experience with others.
I pray you have an encounter this week—one that stirs your soul and draws you closer to the one and only Jesus.