When it pleased God… —Galatians 1:15
{CHAMBERS} “As
servants of God, we must learn to make room for Him— to give God “elbow room.”
We plan and figure and predict that this or that will happen, but we forget to
make room for God to come in as He chooses. […] Do not look for God to come in
a particular way, but do look for Him. The way to make room for Him is to
expect Him to come, but not in a certain way. […] Suddenly—God meets our life
“…when it pleased God….” Keep your life so constantly in touch with God that
His surprising power can break through at any point. Live in a constant state
of expectancy, and leave room for God to come in as He decides.”
{ELGIN} What does God showing up look like? When Elijah was in the cave (1 Kings 19:11-13) there was a great
wind, but the Lord was not there. There
was a great earthquake and fire, but the Lord was not there. “And after the fire came a gentle whisper. [a
still small voice] When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and
went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.”
God can but probably won’t show up in a dramatic, sea parting, way. You have to be paying attention. You have to be spiritually sensitive. You have to be looking for Him to show
up. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus tells the parable of the Sheep and the
Goats. Normally we think of these verses
in the context of serving others. Both
groups asked the question “Lord, when did we see you?” The point was, in both cases, the Lord had
showed up, but the goats missed him and the sheep did not, although they did not
understand that God was involved. He
presented the opportunity and one group ignored it while the other seized
it. The fact of the matter is that He is
everywhere, it is our spiritual insensitivity that prevents us from being aware
of that. In Psalm 139:7, David asks “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can
I flee from your presence?” The answer
is, there is no place I can go, the problem is in my lack of awareness not in
opportunity.
Open My Eyes
Open my eyes, that I may see Glimpses of truth Thou hast for
me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key That shall unclasp and
set me free.
Open my ears, that I may hear Voices of truth Thou sendest
clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear, Everything false
will disappear.
Open my mouth, and let me bear, Gladly the warm truth
everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare Love with Thy children thus
to share.
Silently now I wait for Thee, Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!
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