Photo credit: Matt Reinbold
But [Stephen], being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God ... and said, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"
~ Acts 7:55-56 (NKJV)
I think of our existence not altogether unlike a fish tank with a two-way mirror. The fish looks into the mirror and sees only self and the reflection of infinity. But the owner can stand nose to glass, seeing but unseen, aware of every movement the fish makes.
Wherever the Bible describes God's nearness, or the heavens being opened, there is the distinct impression that God stands right before our eyes in another dimension, ready to reveal Himself and speak to the one who calls upon Him.
Seek the LORD while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near.
~ Isaiah 55:6-11 (NKJV)
How does one come to recognize the voice of God except by listening for it? How can one hear His word unless one stands ready to heed it?
Our Sunday school children just heard yet again of Joshua and Jericho. Does the story become so familiar that we fail to see the incredible faith of acting out the irrational? Who wages war by marching silently around a city? Who wins a battle by shouting?
Who follows the inaudible word of an invisible God?
Only the one who believes He is near.
The God Who hears me, cares about me, and acts on my behalf is not long ago and faraway. He engages Himself in my life as if I am all He has to watch. He speaks in my ear as if His nose is as close as my cheek—as if His Spirit is within my heart.
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD...
~ Isaiah 55:8 (NKJV)
He is sure to communicate the unexpected, for His thoughts cannot be guessed, but only revealed.
He is sure to ask the irrational, which can only be done by faith.
And He is sure to prosper me when He speaks, for His word shall not be wasted.
[My word] shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
~ Isaiah 55:8,11 (NKJV)
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This is the "rest of the story" connected to my testimony of gratitude posted at Everyday Testimonies.
Comments, questions, and respectful disagreement are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments, or e-mail buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
i heard God yesterday as I walked down the stairwell at work. He told me to pray for a person.
ReplyDeleteI heard him this morning as raging thoughts of inferiority swarmed around me -- he told me I was his beloved one.
I need to listen more, because I think He's always talking
"His word shall not be wasted." I think of how many words I waste--in my writing, with my kids, etc.
ReplyDeleteWow, that point will stick today.
I believe God is constantly revealing Himself to us. I want to pay more attention than I have been.
~ Wendy
"Who follows the inaudible word of an invisible God?
ReplyDeleteOnly the one who believes He is near."
This makes me ask myself: "Do I act as if I truly BELIEVE He is near?
My dear David, you do know (don't you?) that every time your name is spoken, you are being called 'beloved'? I am certain this is why King Saul no longer spoke the name David, but instead 'son of Jesse' whenever he was angry with David.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure we do miss so much of what we might hear if we were more attentive. It's never too late to practice, tho ...
Wendy ~
ReplyDeleteI'm slowly learning the power of brevity ... slowly ...
Jenn ~
ReplyDeleteI sometimes ask my kids, "Would you talk that way if Jesus were standing in the room?"
And then I stare at them, in case they forget that He is.
We all need the reminder, for sure.
Beautiful post, Anne. A great description of His nearness and what He asks of us. We simply have to trust. It will always be worth it. Thank you.
ReplyDelete"Does the story become so familiar that we fail to see the incredible faith of acting out the irrational? Who wages war by marching silently around a city? Who wins a battle by shouting?"
ReplyDeleteLoved those lines! I'm afraid that is the struggle I face with numerous Bible stories. I can talk about the resurrection and Jesus' miracles like I'm rolling off a grocery list.
Jason ~
ReplyDeleteI'm always asking God to give me a picture to help me understand His truths. I'm sure we're getting an incredibly tiny puzzle piece of the grand picture we'll one day see.
Matt ~
ReplyDeleteI continually look for new ways to make the Bible fresh. It's way too easy to take Someone as faithful as God for granted--and miss out on something spectacular.