God Reveals Himself When We Least Expect It....

God reveals himself so often when we least expect it.  Last Thursday I took ol' Baxter outside for his morning constitutional and rounded the corner of the house to a beautiful crescent moon....

It was just before sunrise and the moon was bright and clear in the February winter sky.  It was strikingly beautiful to see it among the bare branches of the tulip popular in our backyard.  It's a little harder to see the moon here but it gives the wider view that caught my attention....

Admittedly, I don't really look forward to Baxter's morning walk.  But when I saw the beautiful pre-dawn sky I was suddenly overwhelmed by the presence of God.  He created such a beautiful place for us to live.  The colors, sights, sounds, smells can be so moving!   Scripture tells us that God is evident in nature..

Psalm 19
 ¹ The heavens declare the glory of God; 
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
 ² Day after day they pour forth speech;
   night after night they reveal knowledge.
 ³ They have no speech, they use no words;
   no sound is heard from them.
 ⁴ Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
   their words to the ends of the world.
    In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
 ⁵ It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
   like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
⁶ It rises at one end of the heavens
   and makes its circuit to the other;
   nothing is deprived of its warmth.


So often Christians wonder why they don't feel God's presence.  It can be a frustration to people seeking Christ.  But often I think that's because we think in human terms.  We think God will reveal Himself in ways that meet our expectations when, in fact, God acts in His own special way.

If you're wondering why you don't "feel" God's presence in your life I would urge you to spend more time reading your Bible and engaging the Lord through prayer.  How can we feel His presence when we don't even take time to read the letters He's written us, i.e. scripture, or simply having a conversation with Him through prayer?

I don't know if I'm a "committed" Christian but I know that since I've made it a point to pray and study God's word I feel God's presence in my life in such a deep and moving way.  I didn't feel that before.  Was that because He wasn't there?  Of course not....

Isaiah 41
¹⁰ So do not fear, for I am with you; 
   do not be dismayed, for I am your God. 
I will strengthen you and help you; 
   I will uphold you with my righteous right hand

Matthew 28

¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

If you seek to know God better take the time to learn how to recognize Him when he taps you on the shoulder.  Educate yourself in the word and prayer so you can understand His ways of reaching you.  The other day He tapped my shoulder and said, "Look at the beautiful sky, moon and trees that I created!".  How easily I could have missd His voice if I wasn't more aware of the ways he acts.

He's doing His part but it's our responsibility to be able to recognize Him more easily. God reaches us every day, right where we live and struggle and rejoice. He meets you in the frustrations and the joys. Will you take the time to learn His language?

Here are a few simple, practical steps to take to be more aware of God's voice in your life:

1) Read one chapter from the Old and New Testament each day. If a chapter is too much start with one verse.

2) On your way to work or school tomorrow, turn the music off in your car and take a few minutes to pray while you're driving.

3) Before you go to sleep tonight thank God for another day of life and the grace of Christ.

4) The next time a thought hits you "out of the blue" ask yourself what God might be saying to you.

5) Read a book called Mere Christianity written by C.S. Lewis.

Steps one through four are pretty easy. Step five requires more of a commitment but is well worth your time.

I will include those who read this in my prayers in the hopes that God is using me to reach out to you. May you recognize His voice and let your life be changed!

That's it for now from the Ponderosa.

May the grace of Christ be yours!