Where's God?
Do you ever wonder why God doesn't make it a little easier for us to see/experience Him in our daily lives? Honestly, couldn't God be a little more "obvious"? Couldn't He use a little louder voice? Or hit us with a little bigger stick?
I've been thinking about that a lot these days. William Barry writes, "Whether we are aware of it or not, at every moment of our existence we are encountering God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who is trying to catch our attention, trying to draw us into a reciprocal conscious relationship."
I know what Barry says is true, but why is it such a struggle to encounter God?
Thoughts? Comments?
I've been thinking about that a lot these days. William Barry writes, "Whether we are aware of it or not, at every moment of our existence we are encountering God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who is trying to catch our attention, trying to draw us into a reciprocal conscious relationship."
I know what Barry says is true, but why is it such a struggle to encounter God?
Thoughts? Comments?
posted by Pastor Phil Print at 2:33 PM
6 Comments:
The issue stems from a Western modern dualism that can be seen manifesting in many other ways as well. We are prone to compartmentalize our lives by secular and sacred when this is actually a false dichotomy. This is worsened by something you mentioned in your sermon(9/16 or 9/17) in that we get so busy that we miss the God moments. The struggle to encounter God is based on the fact that encountering God is not a priority in our lives. We shove God to the cracks and margines of our lives. Our prayer life becomes a wishing well in the sky. Michael Jordan didn't become the basketball player we know him as over night. He worked hard at it, years and years of INTENTIONAL effort. While he certainly was gifted by God, it took intentionality on his part to develop that. The same is true for our spiritual formation. We must be intentional about it. Spiritual formation doesn't just happen on its own, we must work at it. We must raise its value in our community. This is also worsened by our microwave lifestyle where everything is about instant gratification. We don't want to be formed, we want to get the DVD and have all the answers 90 minutes later. Another factor is that we are not accountable in this area, and rarely are we willing to hold others on a personal level accountable for this. We (the church) speak corporately about these kinds of things, but rarely do we have a 1-on-1 plan for getting this done. Small groups are a very good entry point for this type of change. Making friends in your church will also help this. Moving from a consumer mentality into a servant mentality will also facilitate this. It will be an uncomfortable transition, change frequently is. But when you are standing on the other side, standing more closely with God, seeing His influence and presence in your life, you will know it was all worth it.
Big Chris
This won't be a very cerebral response, & perhaps just applicable to me. But here goes...As I've been actually READING the Bible for comprehension for the first time in my life, I've started a list of "Questions for God." These are things that just don't make sense to me in my spiritual newness. (The list is growing much quicker as I try to understand the Old Testament!) Anyway, one of my questions is why aren't there any miracles now like those talked about in the Bible. As I'm working through Exodus, though, I am beginning to ask myself if miracles would even make a difference? I say that only because I am struck by how blatant and awesome the miracles were during Moses' time, but the people would still complain and still question God. So on a personal level, I've taken this as a challenge that I need to do as others have said here, and really make it a point to recognize God in my daily life. I have to put some work into this relationship with God or it just won't mean much and I'll take it for granted.
Hi searcher119!
It depends on who you talk to, regarding present day miracles.
Jesus said that 'these signs shall follow them that believe,…they shall cast out devils...lay hands on the sick & they shall recover…'(mk 16:17,18)
I've seen & heard some very remarkable things, & know missionaries who have seen the dead raised!
There are many teachers who seem to have captured some miraculous principles of faith. One of which is Andrew Womack. You can check him out @ www.awmi.net
The truth shall set you free!
Welcome to the family of God!
It's nice to hear a pastor ask this question. Sometimes I feel like I'm trying to worship the sun through an opaque screen. I imagine what it would be like if the glory of the Lord filled the sanctuary, like in the Old Testament. Or if flames leaped out as the Spirit roared through the aisles on Sunday.
I know there are moments in a person's life when the sun (the Son?) shines through the screen because I've experienced it myself. Maybe you have to be sincerely desperate. Or watching your mother die. Or stupidly faithless. Or reverently childlike.
Maybe the Spirit comes and goes like the wind, and has His own reasons for showing up when He does. I think it would be nice to see these glimpses of heaven more often. I think my offering checks would be bigger if flames were bouncing off the church walls. Unless I dropped drop dead of a heart attack.
Hi belle-south (& whoever else)
We all feel the way that you described. However, I believe that God wants us to live by faith, not feelings & sight. Faith would dictate that we understand God loves us & His Spirit is always with us to comfort, encourage & lead us into all truth whether it feels obvious to us or not. Faith goes beyond & is superior to our emotions or signs & wonders. Faith comes by exposing ourselves to & rightly dividing the Word of God.
I really hate to come-off as a know-it-all, but these are things that I'm learning, so I thought I'd pass them along!
God bless!
I'm going to work on the flames bouncing off the church walls so Belle-souths checks get bigger! Seriously, I think passionate said it well. I'm glad God doesn't make it easy. I'm glad for the sense of mystery. I'm glad the righteous are to walk by faith not signs and wonders. A couple of quotes from John Ortberg and I'll move on: "Maybe the reason God lowers his voice (seems somewhat hidden) is so we will learn to pay attention...maybe it's because God wants us to learn to see him in the ordinary rather than be dependent on the extraordinary."
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