God in the Ordinary

I committed to memory a verse I sent to you last week.

Save us, O Lord our God.Gather us from the nations (Psalm 106:47)

Last night I found myself clinging to that verse as I walked with some friends of mine through a difficult time in their lives.

This morning as I was praying for them and a couple of other situations that have come on my screen in the last few hours, I ran across another verse. It reads

He raises the poor from the dustand lifts the needy from the ash heap...He settles the barren woman in her homeas a happy mother of children (Psalm 113:7-8)

I was shaped and molded by these verses as I reflected back on my day yesterday.

I had three interactions (a phone call and two folks I ran into unexpectedly around town). I thought about the blessing, sustenance, and healing the Spirit had waiting in each of these places.

My heart was lifted as I heard my friend's voice on the phone.

I was reminded of God's unexpected power and creativity as one friend, for whom I'd been praying, showed up in a place we don't normally meet.

I was encouraged as I ran into another friend, also for whom I'd been praying, on my way to a mail box at the post office. (Initially I was bothered because there was NO MAIL in the box and I had walked OUT OF MY WAY to pick it up. But then I realized, "Maybe the mail wasn't the reason for this trip.")

I was thankful for those two passages in the times of desperation.

I was thankful for them as I stepped back and was able to see God at work in the ordinary details of my life and the lives of those for whom I'd been praying.

I've heard the story told that a young child was beginning to read the Bible on their own. They asked their parent, "How much should I read at each sitting? A verse? A chapter? A book?"

The wise parent responded, "Until you get something out of it."

It reminds me of the story of Jacob wrestling with God. The crooked deceiver wouldn't let go until God blessed him (Genesis 32).

What do we miss if we don't stay and seek and knock and read scripture or wrestle in prayer until God blesses us and helps us "get something out of it"?

What healing or encouragement await us if we will persist at that task until God's light and power show up?

What good might God bring to our life and the lives of others if we simply show up when and where we're supposed to, with an attitude of expectancy?

I pray today that you'll allow God to put you in places the Spirit is working.

Grace & peace