Transcending Illusions: Rediscovering the True Divine Encounter

In today's world, there is often a focus on external achievements—whether it be status, family, or social recognition. These individuals are familiar with the usual symbols of prosperity, yet this very approach can easily overshadow an authentic encounter with the divine. Modern people sometimes perceive God through the lens of their expectations and stereotypical images, which leads to the creation of an "idol" in the soul instead of experiencing true communion with the Living God.

In our rapidly changing society, there are many instances when an encounter with the divine is reduced to mere everyday manifestations. Instead of a deep inner transformation, such moments sometimes turn into a predictable repetition of the usual script, where the words of truth bounce off the heart and miracles, along with mysterious energies, lose their true meaning. People often fail to realize that a genuine encounter with God should awaken in the soul a reverence and awe—a beginning of wisdom capable of tearing away the veil of superficial perception of reality.

In conclusion, true knowledge of God requires stepping beyond ordinary expectations and the exclusive focus on material goals. Only through a profound inner transformation and the readiness to meet God as He truly is can one not only acquire knowledge but also engage in a living, transformative communion with the Divine.

How do modern individuals perceive manifestations of God in their lives, how do they explain His influence, and why do they attribute such significance to Him?

Modern people often interpret God’s manifestations through the prism of material and ideological priorities, which hinders genuine, profound knowledge of God and the direct experience of His presence. Many contemporary individuals are geared toward external achievements—family, career, public activity, and personal comfort—which leads to a disconnect between the available knowledge of God and His embodiment in a living destiny. As noted in one source:

"Life was not guided by the knowledge of God; there occurred a rupture between faith and life. Is it not appropriate to say the same about our times? How rarely do we now encounter people who live solely for God and by God!" (source: link txt, page: 5022)

This approach explains why many perceive God’s influence more as an idea, a reflection of cultural stereotypes, or even a substitute for true communion with the Living God. If a person encounters God only in the form familiar and comprehensible to them, it may lead to creating an idol in the soul—a form that becomes a sign of a superficial attitude toward the Divine. A genuine encounter, as emphasized, should instill in the soul fear—the beginning of wisdom—that is capable of shaking the very essence of one's being. Otherwise, if the encounter turns out to be predictable, it lacks the power that should transform a person:

"If, upon meeting God, we found Him just as we expected, then a substitution has occurred and we have fashioned an idol for ourselves..." (source: link txt, page: 1764)

Moreover, the modern world abounds with phenomena that many interpret as miracles or mysterious energetic manifestations; however, such signs are often perceived superficially, without deep spiritual reflection. People tend to reject the word of truth, finding it alien to their everyday life, which contributes to the true influence of God being overshadowed by various illusory miracles and pseudo-phenomena:

"Thus is modern man. He has strayed very far from God; his heart is filled with all sorts of devilish contrivances, wicked passions, feelings, and desires—therefore he is prone to marvels. When you speak the word of truth to a person, they do not accept it because this word is foreign to them, it bounces off from them..." (source: link txt, page: 42)

Thus, modern individuals explain God’s manifestations through the prism of societal norms and personal expectations, where a genuine spiritual experience is replaced by material markers and superficial wonders. This leads to God's influence being either underestimated or, conversely, perceived as something distant from reality yet capable of substituting the genuine experience of spiritual union, if a person does not strive for a deep inner transformation.