The feet dangled over the edge. Below in the darkness, swirled rushing waters. Is there a God he thought as he inched forward.
The car veered sharply to the right to avoid the large animal. At that moment everything went in to slow motion as the vehicle took on a life of its own.
Is there a “wow” of God for them? For others? Our lives are often caught up in a pathway that allows us to encounter people, sometimes at their lowest points. I certainly have been around my share of people who had come to their last steps.
When I perhaps 9 years old I delivered newspapers with a man. We would spend 2-3 hours in this large vehicle, going down roads, jockeying from one side of the road to another, each of us placing newspapers in waiting newspaper tubes. One of the last houses we could do each day would take us by one of the cemeteries in our town. The house right before it had a large German Shepherd that would race towards me as I opened the mailbox each day. The dog was big and it was dark that winter afternoon. As the box closed I saw a car with an interior light ahead. The man I worked with said to me “stay here.” He walked over to the car and saw the note. The man had killed himself.
I find an increasing number of people calling out to God to “just take them home” as the pain is too much. The loss too great. I get it. In my early years as a believer I had lost much though I had gained everything. Depression over my past burdened me. I had “tried” I thought. “Done everything” I was sure, but still I was plagued.
Finally a situation out of my control occurred in my life. I could not do this anymore, I thought. I went out to the garage and began to plot my demise. Life had spiraled out of control for me. My best was not enough.
I needed the WOW of God. Adding insult to injury was an accident where I was hit by a taxi cab. Now walking was painful. “Where are you God?” I wanted God to “fix it.”
Where is the boat? Where is the life preserver?
As the snow covers the darkness of the ground and brings beauty in a wondrous way to the city about me today, I think WOW! Beautiful. Oh, I know it is only temporary. I understand it is “not needed”, but it changes the look, the appearance of things.
What would the “wow” of God look like for you? What would it change? Anyone who has read my work knows I have experienced powerful encounters with God. Paradigm changing, life changing encounters. Yet, today, like many I need a “wow” of God. I am not suggesting we try to move “mountaintop to mountaintop” enduring the valleys of time in between. I am not thinking we need to go event to event, but maybe just listen for the “still small voice.” What we do in between in many regards is “up to us”.
Do not think I am talking against visitations or encounters or moves of God. I am not. I am speaking of avoiding the discouragement that has the ability to rear its ugly head when it is not happening. When it is not a powerful move and it is hard. Last week I saw the “provision” of God in a dream. So real, I got up and began to look for it. I have not found what was seen in the dream, but I have not given up.
I have had this thought lately that people need to know others are on their team, caring about them, praying for them. Each time I think of the religious persecution endured by so many, I wonder, what are their thoughts while they sit in prisons. Do they believe people remember their names, their families, their values?
One of the greatest values I see on the horizon is the “wow” of God looking like you or appearing through me.
I was thinking yesterday in my “quiet” time some of the following.
Many folks know me. But it is but a few that know the things I go through. I think Jesus went through something similar. Many knew His name. Knew “Him”. But how many allowed His touch, His life to permeate their being?
When you go through a struggle, sometimes you just don’t know. I am sure the 12 disciples found it easy to get frustrated with the people who “pulled” in Jesus. But how much more concerned were the even smaller inner circle of perhaps 2-3? Or John? They knew.
Discouragement has the ability to undermine you when you least expect it. The more I come to know, understand and labor in my faith to enter His rest, the less I am “discouraged” about. I find the scuffs of life disappear and have less value or impact upon my life.
Many years ago I had a garden and a woodchuck was working hard to get first dibs on my vegetables. I did something incredibly dumb (I was but a young boy!) and despite my best efforts he prevailed. He kept coming back.
Not everything that would hinder you or beset you “disappears”. Sometimes it does but not always. Not necessarily today. I remember many years ago a commercial series that ran by Fedex. One of their lines was “when it absolutely, positively has to be there.” (The video is pretty funny.) What is it you need now?
Let us begin to encourage one another in the “now’s and wow’s of God.” I have many friends who need miracles. Some have been contending. Holding on. Sitting on the edge of their “window ledge” waiting for God to move. But I submit we are the “moving” of God here on earth. (Sometimes what we call sovereign is simply us “wrapping our brain around it”!)
Today is your day. How do I know? God said so! You are postured for a miracle because you are His. His delight. Proverbs 8:30 says “Then I was beside Him, as a master workman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, “
Today is a day of rejoicing. Begin to rejoice and be glad in it. He trusts you. He trusts me. Let us not get caught up in the despair but let us be caught up in Him.
Even as I finish this, I saw a large owl swooping out of the skies, moving through the trees, chasing after the small animal over the snow covered landscape. And just as it looked like “all was over” I saw a large hand deliver the small animal out of the way. The owl never veered or swerved, but it was if he “expected” it.
God is delivering you today!
A few years ago, my wife and I were the owners of a home. Two bedrooms up and 3 converted rooms down. The home produced income. A radio station paid for a small portion for their transmitter. We thought we would be there forever. A smaller home, beautiful views.