“The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.
After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.
After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.
And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.” 1 Kings 19:11-13
I tend to look for God in the big things, not the little. To be honest, if you took a peek at my schedule, you would see that I spend far more time moving, talking and doing than listening and being still. Transformation comes in the quiet reading of God’s word, prayer, listening and being still. Sometimes I sense God’s presence; sometimes I don’t, but his daily, if not moment by moment whispers form a powerful undercurrent that pulls me into the stream of life with Him. When I submit, the Holy Spirit, a force far greater than I takes hold.
On the surface, my life appears conventional, yet the Holy Spirit is at work in ways I often comprehend. I am in good company. Review the “begat” list in Matthew 1. The genealogy of Jesus is slice of humanity: scoundrels, idolators, prostitutes, murderers, good guys and bad. What we all have in common is that God has chosen us to carry out his purposes. Ultimately, what is important is not my story, but the story of God’s grace at work within me. This wonderful mystery is found in God’s choosing sinful, unworthy people to bring about his Kingdom. I find myself wanting to wallow in this extravagant grace. Pardon the visual metaphor, but I see myself like an elephant cooling off in the surf. I don’t belong there, but I luxuriate at the goodness of it all.
“For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works so that no man can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for you to do.” Ephesians 2:8-10
Oh Lord, thank you for inviting me to that place in your heart where I knew on my own, I never belonged. But Jesus, you made it possible for me to come and enjoy your presence, goodness and grace. Thank you. May your story be told in my life today.
Klueh
Sixty-six books in a year 