My good friend came over the other day for lunch and we were discussing our views on how God works today.  I have been thinking about that discussion. I know he reads my blogs so hopefully this will open up more conversations!

Yes, God has set us up according to a plan.  We can expect snow in winter and warm days in summer.  Yes, the apple does fall to the ground because of the law of gravity.  Snow in winter and flowers in summer. The rain falls on the just and the unjust!  There are droughts, plagues, hurricanes, and fires.  Is God being mean to us when these things happen?

Our friend, Joe, was on his way to an interview for a new job.  He prayed for a parking spot close to the office.  “God, help me find a spot.”  Just then a car pulled out and he pulled in…..”Never mind God, I found one myself!”  He didn’t connect the dots.  Joe’s spiritual navigation system was switched off or never turned on. 

I have had similar happenings in my life.  I can’t explain them myself.  I call them “Divine Interventions. ”You might call them lucky breaks, coincidences, but I can see God’s hand in those experiences, and I wasn’t praying for them.

We tend to take for granted things that appear to be ordinary occurrences. Waking up, going through the day, driving here and there, and returning home, all seem uneventful but they’re not. Every nuanced detail, from the start of each day until its end is not haphazard. Our life experiences are not random but significant…..too important to be regulated by mere chance.

It’s difficult for humans to fit God’s plan in with ours!  However, we mistakenly assume that our achievements are the sole result of our own efforts.  We are indifferent to God’s involvement and presence in our lives.  It’s like being in a one-sided relationship.  Seems that we pray most often when we need things……healings, a good job, a safe trip etc. 

We shouldn’t take the details of our lives for granted.  We must deepen our relationships to God by a desire to please Him. Integrated, mindful Bible study and doing good works for others deepen our awareness of His providence.  We can choose to develop our inner resources and to be sensitized to God’s presence in our daily lives.  Don’t fail to recognize how God is working even though we can’t explain it, nor should we try.

 It isn’t our lack of faith, but we simply recognize that some things are just out of our control.  Yes, bad things do happen to good people.  Divine protection can be removed, allowing the natural course of things to come into our lives. 

Making it Relevant.

1.  Share your faith and love of God with others.  Strive to show gratitude and feelings of God’s workings in your life……..but don’t be preachy.  You are merely touching base on how you are working out the experiences that God has given you.

2. Take time each day to review the day’s occurrences and what you are grateful for.  I do this in the mornings.  Do what is the best time for you. 

3.  Make daily efforts to deepen your ongoing relations with the Creator.  Show gratitude proactively.  Be more aware and thankful for what is going on around you and show gratitude for being one of His children whom He loves.   

As man acts, God reacts.  Think of these teaching moments as personalized spiritual text messages.  Just as one’s phone is turned on to receive a text, one’s heart must be activated to perceive God’s messages. 

Keep texting!!

.