One of my all time favorite texts from scripture is Acts 17:26-29 And He made from one common origin, one source, one blood all nations of men to settle on the face of the earth, having definitely determined their allotted periods of time and the fixed boundaries of their settlements, lands, and habitations, so that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after Him and find Him, although He is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and have our being; as even some of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring.
Often I look for God in big things, I want to do things that matter, to have a life without purpose is one of the most frightening things. But to understand that where I live is on purpose, who I live with, live next door to, who I run into at the market, who I work with and all of the joys and challenges of life are opportunities divinely appointed by God for me and those around me to find him, this is what I desire. I love how the text says “feel after Him and find Him, although he is not far from each one of us.” Ahhhh! For a girl who is needs lots of physical affection, this warms my heart immediately. And I know as soon as I truly begin to feel after Him and look to Him I can get lost in His love. What a gift.
But what if, what if these things that seem so menial are of His beautiful divine plan, what if it isn’t so complicated. What if the gifts of prophecy and encouragement and knowledge are to be played out in our lives a little more naturally and simply than a grand show at a local church? What if God wants to download huge amounts of love through us to the man at the art museum or the lady at the market? These things take not only a sweet abiding in the love and presence of Christ but also a boldness and humility that I really want.
A few months back I was chatting with a friend about her boyfriend’s business and a series of business meetings he was at. She shared a bit of how she’d been praying for him, he would send her a message with what was going on and she would start praying. She made the statement about how it was like he was on a mission trip the way she was praying for him and the connections and the business and everything. I was so humbled and yet since then have been asking the Lord to show me how to live more this way. What if there is no difference between the sacred and the secular?
Where have we boxed God in? Have I missed God’s intentionality in the circumstances I am finding myself in today? Yesterday? Tomorrow? 6 months ago? Next Week? He has something beautiful for us to walk in to bring His will and His kingdom to this earth each day, are we choosing to enjoy and walk in those things? The other day my dear friend “A” made a great comment “If you are keeping one foot in the past you can’t walk forward.” There are situations divinely designed for people to experience God, for us to experience His ways and love, and they aren’t just across the world, they are in the next room, they are down the street.
may we walk on in the love and fullness of Christ.
much love + peace to your heart, katee grace 🙂