Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. Genesis 28:15
Does this drive anyone else crazy, or is it just me? When a preacher stands up to tell about this amazing moment when God stepped in and changed his life and as you listen it starts “I travelled on a mission to Peru.” Or “I was ministering to orphans and widows in Botswana.” Or “I was scaling Mount Everest”. My brain just shuts off sometimes as those sermons begin. Cause I’m a single working mom of 2. The closest I’ll ever get to Botswana, Peru, or Mount Everest is “I climbed up the hill in my back yard.” And it makes me mad! God often does amazing things in amazing moments, but what about the rest of us?
You know what I have learned in all of my trials is God doesn’t just bless the missionary, the minister, the pastor, or the author. He doesn’t just bless the orphans and widows of Botswana. And He doesn’t just call those with great callings. He calls all of us.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:19
So my stories often start out like this. “I rolled out of bed and got my coffee. I sat down and began praying. My mind was opened as the Spirit came into my quiet place and I experienced God there.” It often starts “I was watching my also a single mom friends kids so she could get some well earned rest for a few hours.” Or “I was kneeling in church and someone came to pray for me and we had a God encounter together.”
Brothers and sisters, we don’t have to be at the orphanages, across the world, or on mountain tops to find God. Though certainly He is in those places too. But often times, I have had my most humbling, amazing, God before me, life changing experiences in my every day walk with Him. God is with us always. When we’re having our morning coffee, driving to work, dealing with customers, bathing and feeding our own kids, paying bills. Those are the moments where most of us will encounter God. The key is to have an open line of communication with Him. Isn’t it amazing that we have that?! The God who created the universe wants to have encounters with us every day.
My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. Exodus 33:14
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