Unless we are willing to divert our attention from the ordinary, we will miss God’s extraordinary.My mind often wanders, but sadly, it seldom wonders. It is amazing how seldom I am amazed.
I fear that slowly we are losing our capacity for amazement. A couple of reasons contribute to our wondering wandering.
First, we lead overly busy lives. We do not slow down enough to notice what is going on around us. Additionally, media – social and traditional – have over-exposed us to the sensational. Let’s face it. Nothing surprises us anymore.
The sad truth is that we miss so much of what God is doing around us. God is constantly revealing His glory through His activity around us and we are mostly oblivious.
God Is Amazing
In John 5:20, Jesus declared that the Heavenly Father would do greater works through Him so the people would “marvel,” or stand in wonder and amazement. You can read the entire exchange in John 5:17-23. But consider three important truths about the amazing activity of God.
- God is always at work around us. This truth was a foundational teaching in Henry Blackaby’s Experiencing God. In verse 17, Jesus said, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” With God, NOTHING is NEVER happening. No, that is not a grammatical error. I meant it that way. God is always active whether or not we notice it.
- The activity of God is obvious to those who pay attention. Jesus said in verse 19 that He sees what the Father is doing. In verse 20, Jesus said the Father shows Him everything. God does not operate in cognito. The only reason we do not see the activity of God is because we don’t look for it. My favorite quote machine, Yogi Berra, famously said, “You can observe a lot by watching.” Profound truth.
- The more we notice the work of God, the more of God’s work we will see. In verse 20, Jesus promises the Father will demonstrate “greater works” that will amaze observers.
Prepare for the Amazing
How can we prepare ourselves to see the amazing work of God around us? Moses’ encounter with the burning bush provides a great template of preparation we can follow. You can read the story in Exodus 3:1-17.
Stop.
As Moses led His father-in-law’s flock to the west side of the desert, he stopped at Mount Horeb. Verse 3 indicates, however, that Moses diverted his attention from the ordinary to notice the extraordinary. “Moses said, ‘I will turn aside…’”
Unless we are willing to divert our attention from the ordinary, we will miss God’s extraordinary. We are loathe to entertain what we call “interruptions.” However, those interruptions are often God’s interjections into our lives. Be willing to stop when see something out of the ordinary.
Look.
Further, Moses said in verse 3, “I will turn aside and see…” What Moses saw caused him to stop. Once he stopped, he had to see more. He had to investigate.
One of my favorite words is “ponder.” I love to ponder; to think about and consider the depths of things. When something catches our eye, do we let it also captivate our mind? When God reveals his activity to us, do we STOP? And once we stop, do we take the time to consider the whats, hows, and whys of what God has revealed?
Listen.
Once God saw that He had Moses’ attention, He spoke to Moses. And when God spoke, Moses listened and responded.
I’m not sure if I heard a voice coming out of a burning bush that I would engage in it dialogue. But if I had been Moses, and if had not engaged the dialogue, I would’ve missed out on an incredible partnership with God. Do we take the time to consider what God is trying to tell us through the events of our day?
Making Amazing Work for You
What ONE thing will you do today to stop, look, and listen for the revelation of God’s work around you?
Is God at work around you? Definitely!
Does He want you to notice and respond to His activity? Most assuredly.
Will you see Him? Will you hear Him? Will you join Him? Well, THAT is up to YOU.