Imagine this scenario. You arrive at the doctor’s office after taking a fall, with sharp pain in your arm. The doctor examines you, runs a few tests, and takes X-rays of your arm. After looking at the results, she informs you that your arm is broken and that is the cause of your pain. You wait but nothing happens. You ask about your broken arm, and the doctor confirms that it is broken. You are waiting to hear about the treatment, but there is only the diagnosis. Every time you ask, you are simply told that you have a broken arm, and you end up leaving the office aware of your problem, but with no solution.

Of course, this is not what actually happens. If it did, the situation would be intolerable. In a situation like this, we want the diagnosis, but we also want a treatment plan. Understanding the problem, even how it was created is important, but fixing the problem is our greatest need. Information is not enough. We need action. This is true in every aspect of our lives. Evaluation, diagnosis, and understanding are all valuable, and necessary, components of healthy change, but we need implementation to see any actual change.

It strikes me that all of this points to an important struggle in our current situation. Everyone wants to point out the problem, even share all of their opinions regarding it, but few choose to become part of the solution. Telling people that the world is broken is hardly news anymore, yet that is what saturates our lives. The media informs us of the issues, but leaves us waiting for answers to the real problem. Social media is full of opinions about the state of the world, but 140 characters and memes rarely provide the space for substantive solutions. It is no wonder that so many people are stressed, confused, and angry.

The church is not immune to this struggle. Christians also seem to have a penchant for decrying the evils of the world, pointing out broken lives and systems, yet failing to offer tangible solutions that lead to healing transformation. It is easy to point out sin, at least in others, but far more challenging to come alongside people and lead them to the wholeness God desires for them. If all we have to offer is commentary on the world’s problems, it is not surprising that the world finds us irrelevant.

Thankfully, the Gospel message does not stop at identifying brokenness. We have so much more to offer. The Gospel is “good news!” It is true that people may need to hear the hard truth, the “bad news,” in order to recognize the problem, but the message does not stop there. In the face of brokenness, God’s truth is there is a way to restoration and wholeness. People were drawn to Jesus, not because he told them what was wrong, but because he healed them. As followers of Christ, imagine what would happen if we did the same.

The truth is, people already know things are broken. They are not looking for information, rather, they are seeking transformation. As a United Methodist, I cannot help but comment on our denominational mission, “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. It is that last phrase that makes the difference, and even if you are not United Methodist, the goal is just the same. Followers of Christ embody the Gospel so that the world can be changed by the power of God’s love.

So, what do we do? What is our prescription? First, we must let God heal our brokenness. We cannot help the world be whole if we are not on the journey to wholeness ourselves. Letting God transform us may be one of the greatest gifts we can offer a hurting world. When we begin to be conformed the image of Christ, we will also begin to act like him. Our heart will begin to reflect God’s heart, and people we see in us the answer they seek.

Second, we can lose the hearts of judgement and replace them with hearts of compassion. The stories of Jesus tell us frequently that he had compassion and healed. Imagine what would happen if we began to have God’s compassion for everyone, not just those we like and agree with. If we begin to pray for God’s heart toward others, we would begin to see people with an immeasurable love, and sharing that love would go a long way toward healing hurting people.

Third, we can set aside our agendas for God’s purposes. It is easy to make God a supporter of our beliefs and desires, but the real call is to make our beliefs and desires what God supports.

Fourth, we can stop yelling and start listening. Instead of trying to force others into our vision, we can help lead others into God’s destiny. People don’t need our opinions, they need truth, grace, compassion, and hope.

In spite of its frequent use, there is great revelation in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son. That whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” God has such love for the world that God is willing to give everything to give it life. That kind of sacrificial love is exactly we are called to reflect and live out. It is easy to judge the world, to point out all the brokenness, but the real call of our faith is to love people as God loves them, to walk with them in the way that leads to the wholeness of eternal life. It is a daunting task, but a rewarding one, and thankfully, we can do it through the grace and power of Christ in us.

The post More Than a Diagnosis appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

Sometimes, we have to work through the mess. Once again this year, I am participating in Inktober, a challenge created by artist Jake Parker to crest one ink drawing a day for the month of October. My first year was 2016, and the process was helpful in strengthening my drawing skills. This year, I am a little behind, but enjoying the process.

Day one of this year went much better than expected. I was thrilled to see how well my first project came together. It was not, however, a harbinger of what was yet to come. The second day came with the prompt “tranquil.” With a great vision for a fishing boat resting on still water, I worked for an hour only to end up with something that simply wasn’t going to work. It was hard to start over, but the result was worth it. I went in a new direction and ended with something I was very happy with.

On the third day, I started with an ambitious project that had to be cut short, and day four things fell apart. The drawing was a simple cup of coffee with latte art. Two attempts later, it was just plain bad. It was extremely hard to post that one online, but that is part of the challenge.

Reflecting on the process so far this year, I am increasingly aware of how much it represents all of life. Sometimes, things go the way we expect. Sometimes, things exceed our hopes, and then there are the times when things become a mess. The messy moments can steal our joy and derail our passion. When things go awry, we begin to doubt and we are tempted to give up, but that is precisely the time we need to keep moving and work through the mess.

In the midst of the struggle, we cannot allow self-doubt, fear, or any other negative emotion to steal our hope and our faith. When things get messy, we work through the mess until we see the possibilities. Even what seems like failure is a learning experience that helps us see with new eyes, and develop new strategies. The messy moments are training ground, opportunities to learn and grow stronger.

It is hard to have that perspective when things are not working out. In those times, I often find myself echoing the classic prayer from the Gospels, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” Then, it is time to keep moving forward, through the mess to the beauty God is creating.

I have a good friend who, when I tell her I am going through something, always says, “Thank God!” When I mentioned that was not the response I expected she said, “Well, I am glad you are going through. Don’t stop. God is bringing you through to something better.” I confess that is not always easy to receive, but, so far, it has always proven to be true.

So, when the mess arrives, give thanks. Rejoice that you are not alone, that God is bringing you through, and that God is creating something beautiful in and through you.

The post Working Through the Mess appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

Saturday, our congregation had the privilege of serving almost 200 people as we provided support for the first Amish Country Running Festival. People came from our region and state, around the United States, and from Canada to participate in the event, which included runs from one mile to a full marathon, all through the scenic beauty of Amish country.

Some of our people participated in the race. One of our youth sang the National Anthem. Some helped provide direction and support along the course. Many came to cheer and encourage the runners along the way. Most came to make delicious food to feed the runners and community as they enjoyed the day’s activities.

The event coordinators thanked us for all we did, but we were the ones who were thankful. We did not offer our help to get recognition, we simply wanted to offer hospitality as an expression of our faith, our support of our community, and our love for people. Sharing the gift of hospitality is a blessing, one that can easily be overlooked, but that makes a difference in the world and in our own lives.

Once, while working at a community food pantry in another town we lived in, I experienced the confusion that often surrounds the ministry of hospitality. Many people were coming to receive the food they needed for their families. It was humbling to help people who needed what I often took for granted. I thanked every person who came.

After one of my, “thank you,” moments, another worker came to me and said, “Why are you thanking them? We are the ones giving them free food. Shouldn’t they be thanking us?” I was so caught up in the blessing of serving that the question surprised me. I never considered that the other workers were not experiencing the blessing I was receiving. I did my best to explain what a gift it was to share hospitality with others, but I am not sure my thoughts and feelings were completely understood.

I confess that I left that moment thinking the person who asked me that question was a little callous, but after some prayer and reflection, I think the proper word was confused. Too often, we are never shown what a gift hospitality is to the one who offers it. Those around us frequently point out what others receive when we share hospitality, while neglecting to teach us the spiritual gift serving produces in us. The supernatural reality of hospitality is that it blesses everyone, the one who offers it, those who receive it, and the world that is touched by it. Our acts of love and compassion change far more than individual lives. When we live with hearts of love and service, we change communities and destinies, and the ripple of those actions change the heart of humanity.

I love the encouragement found in the book of Hebrews, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” (13:2) At first this might seem like a warning, “show hospitality because it might be a test from God.” I prefer to think of it as inspiration, “show hospitality because you never know the difference you are making, You might even be demonstrating to angels the power of God’s love in human hearts.”

Hospitality is not just about helping someone else, and it is certainly not about feeling good about ourselves because we did something. Hospitality is about making a difference, changing the world one act at a time. It is about revealing the heart and nature of God through acts of kindness. Hospitality helps the world see that God’s eye is on them, that God knows them and calls them by name. We demonstrate God’s love and provision, and declare the sacred worth of every life, created in the image of God. In actions large and small, we tangibly declare that the world matters to God, and that we were made for the blessing of community.

You may not be supporting a race today. You may not be working at a food pantry, or any other organized program, but thankfully, you don’t need an event or a program to practice hospitality. Opportunities abound all around us. We can serve our families. We can listen to someone who thinks no one hears their voice. We can share our blessings with those who feel forgotten. We can rejoice with those who need to celebrate with someone, and cry with people who are hurting. Everything we do will make a difference. Jesus said even a cup of water offered in his name could change the world.

So, lets not miss the gift of hospitality. Instead, embrace it, for together, we can change the world through the power of God at work within us.

The post The Gift of Hospitality appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

I don’t know if I’ve seen any particular scripture reference used more poorly than the one above. In my own life, and in the lives of many others, people used this verse to suggest that God allowed, even caused, bad things to happen in order to accomplish something good.

When my father suddenly abandoned our family when I was 14, numerous people quoted this verse in a strange attempt to comfort me. They kept implying that, if I waited, I would see that God caused this situation so that something better would happen. I can assure you this created anything but comfort. All I could think as I pondered these comments was, “Really, the all-powerful God of the universe could only accomplish a good thing in my life by putting my family through pain?” It didn’t inspire much faith.

As a pastor, I’ve listened as people quoted this verse to others in the midst of grief and tragedy. I am sure it is meant well, but it hardly represents the compassionate God who stands with us in our pain, who is broken-hearted by our suffering, and who grieves the pain of sin and brokenness in the world. It is a cold word that comes all to easily from a “everything happens for a reason” theology. The truth is, sometimes the reason is that there is evil in the world.

At the same time, we cannot simply negate this verse. While we were never meant to use it to dismiss someone’s pain, there is a promise of hope that lies within these words. God does not need bad things to produce good. God is the source of all goodness. However, it is God’s power and goodness that works in the midst of evil, suffering, and pain to redeem every situation. In our times of struggle, God is with us, comforting us, and speaking life over us, even in the face of death.

I see this loving power of God in situations small and large. Sunday, I caught the flu, which is also why I missed Tuesday’s post. I hated being sick, and I was disappointed in the way it disrupted my plans. I missed out on things I truly value. At the same time, left with little I could do, I found time for some much needed rest, time to pray, listen to God, and saturate myself with Scripture. I did not need to be sick to accomplish these things, but the days of sickness were not lost or wasted because the presence of God redeemed them.

I’ve seen God do even bigger things, in more extreme circumstances. I’ve watched cancer survivors become support for others facing the disease. I’ve seen people who walked through the darkness of great grief become light to others traveling a similar path. I’ve watched those who go without provide care for those with less. The list of such occurrences is long, but in each case I know I am watching God work for good in every situation, as people comfort others with the same comfort they received from God. (2 Corinthians 1:4)

Not every circumstance is good, but God works for good in every situation, and it is for our good. This is why we can rejoice always, because God is always near and at work. We may not choose our circumstances, but we can choose faith, hope, and joy in the midst of them, because God is at work and that is always good.

The post Working for Good appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

Yesterday was challenging. Mid-afternoon, we received a call from my wife’s new doctor informing us that that her recent tests showed that she was in serious condition and that we needed to go to the emergency room right away. It was a life-threatening situation. You can imagine the fear, and a host of other emotions, that flooded us in that moment. Things can turn upside-down in a moment.

Things can also turn in good ways just as fast. After some time at the hospital, and consultation with a previous physician, we discovered that there was a misunderstanding in the interpretation of the data. My wife was completely fine, and she was able to return home with me a few minutes later. It was a wild ride and, while we may not be happy about the process, we are elated at the end result.

As I processed my emotions last night, I took some time before we went to sleep to read some Scripture and to pray. I typically work my way through the Psalms before bed. I opened to where I left off, and began reading right at Psalm 91.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

It is funny how God provides just what we need to hear when we are attentive. As I read through the remainder of the Psalm, I found my peace increase, and I gave thanks for God’s presence in every circumstance.

As I approached the end of the chapter, I found the closing words especially helpful. I know these words were probably written for the king of Israel when they were composed, and I strongly advocate reading the Scripture in context. Still, last night, I felt these same words applied to our situation and so I claimed them for our lives as well. So, pardon me as I change the pronouns in the text, and I pray that you might find hope in them as well:

“Because she loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue her;

I will protect her, for she acknowledges my name.

She will call on me, and I will answer her;

I will be with her in trouble,

I will deliver her and honor her.

With long life I will satisfy her

and show her my salvation.”

The post Words of Comfort appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

Please forgive the delay posting this morning’s post. I awoke today, with a passion to write something more timely.

I keep watching as hurricane Florence approaches the Carolinas, watching in awe of the size of the storm, and in deep concern for all that is within its path. I am thankful for the downgrade in intensity, but profoundly aware of the damage it will cause. I continue to pray for safety for people who will feel its destructive force: those who stayed in their homes, first responders, members of the military, and others. I pray for people who are displaced, seeking shelter and protection, unsure of what they will experience now, and what they will return to once the storm passes. I pray for communities that will be affected for years to come, long after the national meteorologists and news media move on to other stories and most of us forget about the long road of recovery. I pray for my own family and friends who need safety and direction. I look upon this vast storm and I pray.

This is not the only storm in my prayers this morning. I am also praying for families that are walking through the storm of grief, storms of physical struggles, along with storms in thought and spirit. These are not just generic prayers for nameless people who are struggling, they are prayers for people I love, for whom my heart breaks, and, beyond my prayers, I feel helpless. Storms remind us of our vulnerability and our weakness, yet I offer what strength I can as I hold each person and situation before God.

I know that many in our current culture remain unimpressed with the offering of thoughts and prayers. I realize that they see this as nothing more than words, and sometimes they are right. When we are honest, we know that the offer to pray for others can be the ultimate Christian brush-off, that keeps us from being truly invested in the needs of others. However, that does not mean that all prayer lacks power and significance. Yes, for some, an offering to pray may be an act of avoidance, but for many of us, our prayers are a sign of our deep, and passionate, investment in the lives of those who matter to us, and to God. Praying may be some of the greatest work we do, for while we cannot change every storm people experience, God can.

I’ve been privileged to share in prayer with people who profoundly care about the needs of others. I listen to the deep cries of their hearts, and see the tears that flow from their eyes as they carry those they love to Jesus. They know their weakness, but they trust in God’s strength. There is nothing passive about their prayers, instead, they are putting all of their trust in the Jesus who speaks to storms and they obey him. Like the story in the Bible of the people who tore the roof off of a house to get their friend in front of Jesus, they are committed to carrying the ones they love into his presence, with the unwavering belief that he can make a difference.

Part of what makes today’s thoughts timely to me extends beyond the pending impact of a hurricane. It is also timely because my wife and I are about to go for her two-year, post-cancer check up. At this time in 2016, we were in the midst of a powerful storm. We were weak, and fighting our fears as we faced the struggle ahead. We had faith, but thank God we were not alone. There were people in many places who were fighting with us in the storm.

You may ask, “did those prayers make any difference?” Absolutely! We felt them in countless ways. God gave us peace in the storm, offered miraculous provision and direction, and brought us safely though. I am not denying the gifts of the medical community and others, but there were just too many moments where we saw God move in our circumstances where there was no other explanation than the power of prayer. God responded to the prayers of God’s people, and this was not the only time. God is faithful, and our prayers make a difference.

So, I am going to continue to pray for those facing storms today. I am going to keep believing in God’s ability to be peace in the storm, and speak peace to the storm. I am going to keep tearing the roof off buildings and pressing through whatever walls I need to in order to bring those I love, and the whole world before God. I will be relentless in my petitions, because I know the heart of God, I know the power of the Holy Spirit, and I know that God moves in the mightiest of storms. I will be God’s answer to prayer where I can, and where I am helpless, I will put my full hope in the One who is not. I will continue to trust the Jesus of great compassion, who looks at the immensity of the storm and says, “Peace! Be still!” I pray you will join me.

The post Peace in the Storm appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:31-32

Clutter, it accumulates easily, and as it does, it becomes a bigger impediment to our lives. Spiritual clutter, restricts our growth and hampers our faith.

One person who commented on the last post, raised an important point. Some things that clutter our lives can actually be fodder for growth and creativity as we mature. This week, I spent some time unpacking my studio. There were boxes of art supplies for me to go through. There still are, but what I did sort through revealed many things I forgot I possessed, and a few things I thought I disposed of. Many of these items provided some fresh inspiration for new projects, and I am glad they were still there to be found.

Not everything that appears to be clutter actually is, however, many things we become accustomed to may be more of a hinderance that we actually know. Looking for space in my studio revealed a number of things that were merely taking up valuable space. I feel attached to them because they were with me for quite a while, but it may be time for me to embrace greater simplicity. Maybe simplifying will be a good topic for the future. For the moment, let’s further consider our spiritual clutter. Tuesday, we looked at some of the larger pieces of spiritual clutter. Today, lets consider some other negative things that take up valuable space in our hearts.

Anger – We all get angry. People and things frustrate us, they hurt us, and from those initial emotions, anger develops. Anger is always a secondary emotion, but it is a powerful one, and when we harbor anger in our hearts, it damages our relationships. There is a place for righteous anger, but all too often we use that exemption to maintain harmful forms of anger adorned in righteous coverings. Real anger separates. It fuels division, and restricts healthy relationships. It affects our relationship with God, with others, and with ourselves.

Anger is toxic, and it is contagious. As the old axiom goes, “hurting people hurt people.” That is why the Scripture enjoins us to put it away along with bitterness, slander, and malice. Harboring these emotions, or acting on them, leads to great pain for everyone involved. The more we nurture them, the larger, and stronger, they become. This is a form of clutter that can choke the life out of our spirit.

Unforgiveness – Closely related to anger, the lack of forgiveness fosters pain in our spiritual life. People do harmful things and it is hard to release those experiences, and even harder to forgive those who caused them. However, our inability to forgive will never right the wrongs, nor will it lead to healing. Ultimately, it will attack and consume us without justice or restoration. As someone once said, “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” When we forgive, we do not condone harmful actions, nor do we excuse the people who did us harm, however, we stop the cycle of harm in our lives and free ourselves from the grip of our wounds. It is not easy to forgive, but the more we realize our own need for forgiveness, it becomes easier to extend it to others.

Bitterness and Hate – These are burdens that are simply to heavy to carry. They cause us to elevate ourselves above others. We begin to embrace an attitude of superiority which leads to judgement, discrimination, and destruction. Slander and gossip follow, as we seek to demean someone else in order to feel better ourselves. Many, if not all, of the “isms” we face in our society find their roots in bitterness and hate. When we pull up these roots, we destroy their fruit as well. The more that we embrace the Biblical call to be kind, tenderhearted, and loving, the more that we reflect the heart of God and find peace in our lives.

As I reflect on these harmful forms of spiritual clutter, I am reminded of all of the broken things I kept in my life because they were familiar, or filled with emotional connections. No matter what memories I connected with them, they were no less broken. Likewise, holding on to places of spiritual brokenness is equally unhelpful, and only prevents us from receiving the wholeness God designed for us.

There are numerous, other pieces of spiritual clutter that affect our faith journey, and there are things that may be obstacles in each of our lives that may not be issues for others. If we truly desire to live in God’s hope and peace, we ought accept the challenge to do the necessary, personal house cleaning. The Psalmist said, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:22-23) Maybe this should be a regular prayer.

If we will let God shine the light into our lives, God will reveal any grievous thing that needs to be removed. Then, we can trust the love of Jesus to cleanse us, and the power of the Holy Spirit to enable us to release the clutter, giving greater space for the Sprit to fill us. It sounds intimidating, but it seems like a very good trade to me.

The post Removing Spiritual Clutter – Part 2 appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

Worry, it affects us all at various times in our lives. Some experience it more than others, and its impact varies from person to person, but in every case, worry steals from us. It steals our joy, our energy, and our peace. The worst part is worry has no power to make any impact on our future situation. It only changes our present.

The late Corrie ten Boom said, “Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength – carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strengths.”

During vacation, there was a sign just outside of my bedroom that read, “Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.” At first, I thought it belonged inside the bedroom, to be seen as you began the day, but as the days passed, I realized it was in the perfect spot, serving as a reminder before sleep that whatever worries consumed the day were already lost time, and carrying them to bed was only a prescription for lost rest. God willing, tomorrow would come, and no amount of worry would change the day in any way.

It was a powerful reminder for me each night. I tend to default to more worry than I wish I did. It is an area of growth I continue to pursue in prayer and action. That simple, wooden sign became a reminder for my evening prayers to relinquish tomorrow into the hands of God so that I could enjoy a peaceful rest and embrace a deeper trust in God to be greet me in the morning with all I needed for the day ahead. No matter what awaited me, fretting over it would not prepare me to overcome, it would only weaken my ability to meet the challenges in the strength of my faith.

The Bible repeatedly declares, and illustrates, the call to release our anxiety and place our trust in God. It is too easy to envision the negative possibilities that may arise, but far more powerful to contemplate the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit in us, and in our future. God is not surprised by the circumstances in our lives, nor is God fretting over the solutions to possible problems. God is the answer to those problems. If God is not worried, and the Spirit dwells in us, we are more than able to face whatever life brings our way.

Often, during funerals, I quote selected verses from John 14. One of the most powerful points Jesus makes is in the words, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” These are deeply comforting words, but they were not spoken just for time of mourning. The peace of Christ is a promise for every moment in our lives. The very peace that sustained Jesus in the midst of everything he faced, is lovingly given to us so that we are not captive to fear, anxiety, and worry. With his help, we can be anxious for nothing.

God’s track record in our lives is perfect. When we look back at the things that once consumed us with worry, we can see the many times we came through. What we thought would be our undoing, is now a testimony of another victory in Jesus. The journey may not have been easy, but the result is no less affirming. God is faithful.

I would love to tell you that the sign I came to love changed everything, that I no longer worry and live in Christ’s perfect peace. I still have a long way to go, but that nightly inspiration was another reminder, another God-sign, inviting me to remember that when I worry, I am not to be anxious. Instead, I am invited to share my concern with the Savior and trust my future to him.

Today, is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday, but here you are. The possibilities are before you. Yes, the possibility of difficulties exist, but so do the possibilities of blessing. The potential for suffering is present, but so is the potential for joy. Best of all, whatever comes our way, we are not alone, nor are were meant to face it alone. The power of almighty God is with us.

So, let’s embrace this day. Let’s savor all the beauty it has as we allow our souls to be at peace with the very peace of Christ. Our worry will not help us, but God will. Above all, let’s not try to carry two days at once. We need our strength for today, not today and tomorrow. When we find anxiety creeping into our thoughts, we can turn our worry into a prompt for prayer,. As we pray, we can release our worry into the hands of God, and we can receive divine strength for moment we are in. God will guard our hearts, and the peace that passes all understanding will be given to us. It is a holy, and wonderful, trade, and it is ours for the asking.

The post This is the Day appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

When we see God, the awe and wonder of the experience changes us, and we slowly become windows through which other people have their own God sightings.

Another year passed without seeing the Perseid meteor shower. Every year, I make an effort to see this cosmic display, and cloud cover obscures my view. It was over two decades ago that I saw them while working at a children’s ministry camp. The experience was breathtaking, and I keep waiting to see their beauty once again. I could just give up, but then I would settle for never seeing them again. Even though I cannot see them, I know they are there. So, I continue to look, trusting that one night, the skies will be clear and I can have another experience with them.

The Psalmist was captivated by the heavens as well. He wrote, “You have set your glory in the heavens,” and that revelation humbled him. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” he reflected, and then went on to declare the praises of God. His revelation continues to impact millions of people today.

God sightings are worth the effort and the time, because revelation makes a difference. It gives us fresh eyes to see ourselves and the world. Through the lens of God, we capture a better vision of God, understand ourselves better, and see others as God sees them. Sometimes, our vision is clouded, but that doesn’t mean that we stop looking. God loves revelation, and our persistence pays off in the end.

There are many things that can cloud our view of God, but one of the greatest culprits is us. We get in our own way through our choices and mindsets, and we obscure our own vision. It can be that we narrow our expectations of where such revelation will come, certain that we know how and where God will show up. It can be an untrue belief that God will not give us revelation. It can even come from the frenetic pace we choose to embrace, that keeps us from looking in the first place.

Recently, I took some vacation time with my wife. I was so excited to get away, and I couldn’t wait to reach our destination so that our vacation could begin. Of course, our vacation began as we pulled away from our home, but I was focused on our destination. I confess, I am too often, destination driven, and in my focus on my perception of the goal, I can miss what is right in front of me. When my GPS took me on an unexpected route, you can imagine my challenge as we passed through a long series of small towns, instead of being on the highway like I hoped. As the trip progressed, I wrestled with a lot of inner frustration, and kept looking for the fastest way to get where we were going.

My wife does not share my passion for destination. She is much better at living in the moment and appreciating where she is at the time. As I drove with purpose to shave a few more minutes off the trip, she was actively celebrating all of the new things she was able to see. I lamented the trip we were taking, while she kept pointing out beautiful homes, and the quaint communities passed through. When I mentioned the disparity between our thinking, she replied, “I am having such a great time! I am with you, and I am seeing all of these wonderful things I never saw before.” I was humbled to say the least, and I began to try to see our trip through her eyes.

Sometimes, we need a guide to help us see. Just as my wife helped to remove my own blindness to the blessings around me, the Psalmist, and others, show us the God sightings we are missing. God loves revelation because it gives us a better understanding of who God is, and deepens our relationship with him. As our eyes are opened, we see God more clearly, and the more we see, the more we train our spiritual eyes to see. One God sighting leads to another. Before long, we begin to see God everywhere.

So, today, lets agree together to let God guide us, through the Scripture, through others, or through whatever means God has for us, so that we can see the revelation of God that is right before us. If our vision is clouded, lets keep looking, for the revelation is there waiting to be discovered. If we keep looking, our persistence will be rewarded. We will see God and we will be changed. Then, like my wife did for me, we can help others see what they are missing. May today be filled with God sightings for us all!

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“Then the Lord answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it. For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.” – Habakkuk 2:2-3

Twenty-four years ago, God gave me a vision. I was walking to church and I saw it. The image was as clear in my mind and spirit as if it stood before me. I saw the church I pastored, but it looked different. There were additions to the original building and increased parking space. The Church was full of activity. I was not counting people, but everywhere I looked, ministry was happening. I didn’t know what all the ministries were, but I could see people blessed in, and by, the work that was taking place. People were coming and going, and those that left were clearly on a mission. The community, region, and the world were affected by what God was doing.

I was overwhelmed with excitement and joy. God was moving, and the church was being the body of Christ. You can imagine the hope that filled me, and how it grew as I saw the plans for the first addition begin to come together. The vision was seared into my thoughts, and my heart. I could not wait to see what would happen next. However, it was not long before I found out I was about to be assigned to a new church. I couldn’t understand why God gave me such a clear vision, only to remove me from it.

I began to think God gave me the vision so that I would pray for it to come to pass, which I continued to do. I wondered if it might be preparation for something else God wanted me to do, but it seemed so specific. After a few years, I started to believe that the vision was for someone else and, while I continued to pray, I felt like I lost something. From time to time, my wife would say, ” Maybe, one day, you will go back and finish it.” I loved the sentiment, but it simply wasn’t possible… until it was. After 22 years of waiting in prayer, I was offered the opportunity to return. Many pieces of that vision are already in place, but the passion God gave me decades ago is once again burning brightly in my heart. God’s appointed time arrived.

The Lord told Habakkuk to keep the vision large, and to wait for it. The vision came with an appointed time, and God’s visions do not lie. God’s timing is not ours, and when God is ready, the vision will surely come. It may seem as if the fulfillment of the vision is impossible, but with God, all things are possible. What feels like a delay, is actually preparation, but it is easy to give up in the season of preparation. We can lose hope and faith that God will fulfill it.

A good friend frequently reminds me that all of the times “suddenly” appears in Scripture, it usually occurs after a long season of waiting and prayer. What appears sudden is actually the result of preparation for God’s perfect timing. The waiting is not easy, but God is faithful.

The Lord’s word came to pass for Habakkuk, and it is coming to pass for me. God’s Word for you will come to pass as well. It may not come in the time, or in the way, you expect, but God did not forget you, or the vision. Don’t lose heart, and don’t give up. Wait for it. It is not over until God says so, and remember, all of the promises of God are, “Yes, and Amen.” (2 Corinthians 1:20)

So, if you are holding onto a vision from God, but seeing no results, keep the vision large so you can see it, and remember, “If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.”

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