Spirit at work

Sometimes I have a hard time pinpointing the hand of God at work in my life. But I think it's usually hard because, by His grace, He is at work in many different areas. I have a hard time pinpointing His hand because I have a hard time acknowledging that all of these musings and thoughts and burdens and ideas are from Him.

God is at work. He is at work in drawing me to Himself. In showing me His character and patiently helping me to recognize the treasure of His presence and to learn how to savor Him. He is at work giving me His thoughts and desires. He is at work giving me hope and power to pursue opportunities for redemption.

God is showing my how much I need to SEEK Him. Especially through the minor prophets, He is showing me how much He desires for us to pursue Him with our entire lives. He loves to bless those who are EARNESTLY SEEKING Him. He is giving me opportunities in my life to practice this through prayer and fasting. Teaching me to live in hope and not in defeat. God is sovereign and very powerful. And He responds to the earnest prayers of His people.

God is showing me how He wants to turn the mourning in this life to dancing. He is showing me how He desires to bring the foolishness in this world to light--bringing wisdom and redemption. He is connecting me with ministries that impact people who are rejected and neglected. He is helping me to connect the lost with those who know the way. He's showing me what could be if I let Him. It is bringing new hope and life and energy and purpose. Praise God.

God gave me an opportunity of solitude--breaking me away from the connection of cell phones and wi-fi internet to realize the treasure and sweetness of God's consistent presence. Even when I feel that everyone is only a call away, God is beyond forgotten cell phones and the absence of laptop computers. If I forget my phone, I may not be able to text my question to my friend and get an easy answer. If I leave my computer in another state for the summer, I may not be able to send out a quick email or google or mapquest. But the beautiful consistency of my God means that I can't escape His overwhelmingly good and holy presence. His presence and nearness doesn't depend on anything I do. His grace is sufficient in my weakness.

God is at work breaking idolatry in my life, giving me thoughts and opportunity to realize that all goodness is God's goodness. He is breaking me from idolizing people and putting others up on a pedestal. He is reminding me that all good in people is His goodness. All grace in people has come by His grace. Either redemptive grace or common grace. He is so good. As humans, we are so fickle. Any consistency in our character is by the work of God in our hearts and minds. The fruit of the Spirit is love. joy. peace. patience. kindness. goodness. gentleness. faithfulness. self-control. All of these Godly characteristics that I see in the most Godly people I know are there by the work of God. What a BEAUTIFUL God we serve.

God is at work. He is powerfully at work in my life. Lord, help me to see Your hand at work more and more and to savor You and love You and recklessly pursue You more and more and more. More everyday. Only by Your Spirit. Only by Your grace. "...Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit..."