An Unpredictable God

“And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?" (Job 26:14 NIV)

After I finished college and started my career, I looked for a workplace mentor who could show me how to advance and teach me what I needed to know.  I prayed that God would reveal this person to me. I presumed an experienced coworker or a supervisor would be my guide. However, the person who helped me was not at all what I expected. She was an unassuming, quiet lady who worked in a different department. She didn’t teach me anything about my job, but she taught me a great deal about faith. Little did I know that her influence would profoundly change my life.

God does not show up in predictable patterns that fit our vision.  We can become fixated on our own ideas of how God is going to answer our prayers. This often leads us to miss His presence in our daily lives. Removing the filter of our presumptions helps us to see clearly. We start looking for God in every person and in every circumstance. We see His glory in the fringes, in the whispers, and in the lowly. We realize His power and wisdom are hidden in the unassuming and unpretentious. We learn to meet God where and when He shows up--not according to our plans or timing--but His. 

Running on Trust

“I’ve already run for dear life straight to the arms of God. So why would I run away now.”(Psalm 11:1-3 MSG)

I’ve just done something scary! I’ve signed up for my first 50 km, trail ultra marathon. My common sense tells me that this dangerous and dumb; my insecurities tell me that this challenge is way beyond my abilities. The temptation to succumb to my fear is strong. The desire to stay safe and comfortable is an innate part of all of us. Yet, the main reason I run is to push past self-limiting barriers. 

My ultimate goal is to learn to trust God completely. Running is just one of the tools to help me get there. Every time I take on a challenge that I know I cannot complete in my own power, I am forced to rely on God. My analytical nature compels me to study every course before I take it on. For example, I know this ultra race involves running on uneven terrain, up and down hills, across waterfalls, on slippery rocks. Looking at these logistics fills me with trepidation, but ignoring it won’t help me grow. No, I approach this venture with open eyes and quaking legs, resolved to strengthen my trust muscles. As I overcome each fear, I stand a little taller. I can see the right path ahead. My confidence and security remain in Christ.

“God’s business is putting things right; he loves getting the lines straight, setting us straight. Once we’re standing tall, we can look him straight in the eye.” (Psalm 11:7 MSG)

Channeling Grace

“Just as the anointing has taught you, remain in him.” (1 John 2:27 TPT)

Try this simple experiment: Open your kitchen faucet on one side of your sink and place a cup on the other side. Hold a straw under the running water and angle it so as to channel the water into the cup. What are the variables that affect the conveyance of water? What happens if the cup is not lower than the water source? What if the straw is not held steady in the stream of water? Does the straw have to be closer to the stream or the cup? Wouldn’t it be ideal if the cup were positioned directly under the faucet?

Positioning ourselves under God is the most important factor in our life of faith. Ideally we would all place ourselves directly under HIS power. Ministry is the channeling of grace to those who are still at a distance. Those of us who are called to carry Christ have to be focused: we must remain steadily in the flow of anointing. We must be properly aligned in order to convey the Message. We won’t be able to reach everyone. Those who have placed themselves too far away or too high may be inaccessible at this time. However, do not give up hope. Life circumstances may humble them. Maturity may bring them closer to Christ. Just focus on your mission. Vigilantly hold yourself in position. Abide in the stream of grace. Allow God’s anointing to flow through you at all times. 

For a video of this experiment, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyEEJnXPw0E

Twisted Gospel

“I am shocked over how quickly you have strayed away from the Anointed One who called you to himself by his loving mercy. I’m frankly astounded that you now embrace a distorted gospel! That is a fake “gospel” that is simply not true. There is only one gospel—the gospel of the Messiah! Yet you have allowed those who mingle law with grace to confuse you with lies.” (Galatians 1:6-7 TPT)

As Christians, we believe that God incarnated as a human, specifically a Middle Eastern man. The Bible tells us that soon after his birth, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were refugees in Egypt. They fled Bethlehem to protect their child from Herod’s persecution. The Gospels teach us to see Christ in the poor, the foreigner, the refugee, the marginalized, and the displaced. 

“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:34 NIV)

For centuries, Christianity has been twisted to justify oppression, colonialism, slavery, and racism. Those who present a distorted gospel, mingling law with grace, have confused us with their lies. We believe that grace is unmerited, yet we support a merit-based immigration system. We label refugees as illegals or criminals, especially if they look different from the majority. We have been trained to ignore the parts of Scripture that do not fit our worldview of tribal exceptionalism. We have allowed fake ‘gospels’ of nationalism, economics, and security to replace Christ’s teachings of love and mercy.

Slowing Down for Others

“Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.” (1 Peter 2:11 MSG) 

When I am running, I don’t mind slowing down for others. My hope is that by staying at their pace, I can encourage them to move forward and become better athletes. Anyone who is working diligently to progress, no matter what their pace, is worth investing in. However, if someone were to give up completely, I would not stay stagnant with them. Instead, I would continue to  move forward on my own.

In the journey of faith, we often feel compelled to turn back or slow down for others who are behind us. We all enjoy companionship, and the inevitable hardships are easier to handle when we have support. Our hope is that we can encourage each other towards Christ. As long as we are all moving forward, no matter what the pace, this is mutually beneficial. However, watch out for those who are stuck in worldliness. They have no interest in growth, in moving closer to God. They will pull you back into the muck along with them. You might think you can convince them to climb up to higher levels, but, instead, they will drag you down to lower ground.  Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life. Be a good role model. Let your actions refute all worldly prejudices. As you move closer and closer to Christ, others will be inspired to do so as well. 

Reapply

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, and he has anointed me to be hope for the poor, freedom for the brokenhearted, and new eyes for the blind, and to preach to prisoners,” (Luke 4:18 TPT)

I apply bug spray before I leave my house to run. After a few hours of sweating, it wears off, and the bugs start attacking me. The other day, I was running near a playground at the park. I noticed a mom sitting on a bench watching her child play. During one of my laps, I saw the kid standing in front of his mom, his arms raised up, and turning around as instructed. The parent was reapplying bug spray. I almost thought about going up to her and asking to be sprayed down as well! 

Before I go about my daily activities, I ask for God’s anointing upon me. His guidance, strength, and protection cover me as I head out the door. Unfortunately, I notice that my ability to sense His presence wears down as the day progresses. The concerns of this world attack me, and I find myself feeling overwhelmed.  I must remember that God is always near, waiting to reapply His anointing again and again as needed. All I have to do is go up to Him, raise my hands in prayer and praise, and turn as instructed. 

Lord, remind me to come to you frequently today, to stand before you as reapply Your Spirit upon me. Anoint me to bring hope to those who lack reserves,  freedom to those who are oppressed, and fresh eyes to those who are oblivious.  

Hidden Reservoirs

“For the Lord has a hidden storehouse of wisdom made accessible to his godly lovers. He becomes your personal bodyguard as you follow his ways, protecting and guarding you as you choose what is right.” (Proverbs 2:7-8 TPT)

God has hidden reservoirs, crystal mountain lakes beyond our view. He guides us through the wilderness, protecting us from unseen traps, showing us the right way to HIM. 

Whether we follow HIM is our choice. 

Worldliness beckons us to follow its ways--to pursue ambitions and desires, to seek enjoyable experiences, and to rely on our own intellect and abilities. Many who sense their insufficiency look to religion for assistance. They have heard that God is generous and has abundant resources. They attempt to channel some of these heavenly benefits, asking God to direct His resources down to earth in order to make their lives more comfortable. They are not willing to leave the world behind and follow Christ up the mountainous trails. Instead, they expect Christ to come down to their level and attend to their worldly needs. 

Lord, make me desire You more than anything else. Grant me the wisdom to do what is right in Your eyes. Give me strength to follow You wherever you lead, to trust in Your guidance and protection, to seek closeness to You above all else.  Your way, Lord; not mine.