An indescribable experience…

A pastor was moved when the elderly lady he hugged after the morning worship service reflected how delighted she felt.  “I am older now, and I live alone.  I don’t get many hugs, so I treasure the ones I get.”

How do you describe a hug?  The bottom line is, hugs are indescribable.  I have received a number of answers working toward a description.  It’s interesting, every answer reflects on how a hug makes you feel.  Hugging is not intellectual, it is experiential.  It follows that the best way of trying to describe a hug is from you own experience.  Perhaps it is an emotional response?  Maybe a tactile sensation?  Or even a psychological experience?  I wonder if the most memorable and defining hugs are the hugs that communicate intimacy?  Hugs are up close and personal.  That’s the way they should be.  The very best hugs speak of intimacy and trust.  However, true intimacy and hugs are indescribable.  Ultimately, you must experience them.

Have you ever received a hug from Jesus?  Yep.  A spiritual hug.  And yep.  It is possible.  If you haven’t received one, you probably don’t know what I am talking about.  Why?  Because it is indescribable!  It’s immeasurable.  It’s unimaginable.  Yet, as the Good Book tells us, if we are established in love, it’s possible to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus.  It’s possible to know this love that surpasses knowledge.

It’s an indescribable but excellent hug.