Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!” (Genesis 28:16)
Read: Genesis 28:1 – 29:35, Matthew 9:18-38, Psalm 11:1-7, Proverbs 3:11-12
Listen:
Relate: There were about six of us sitting around the table playing Monopoly. Normally, any story that starts this way will not end well. I tend to be a wee bit competitive and so does pretty much everybody in my family. I remember playing at my apartment with a few cousins when two of us ganged up on the third cousin’s fiance in an attempt to force her into bankruptcy. Our engaged cousin got so angry at us he stood up and flipped the table before storming off into his room. Poor Jen just sat there in awkward silence before saying, “Yeah, he loves me.” Another time, in Bible college, a guy jumped over a bed to physically attack me when he got so mad. Oh wait, that was playing Risk. Nevermind. Among some family I still have to try and live down a reputation of cheating because my attempts to help myself to the bank were so prevalent when I played this game (Monopoly, not Risk, or perhaps both… and a few other games as well). So let’s just say that my Monopoly playing has not always been so wholesome.
Getting back to the story I was going to lead in with, this game was different. We were playing along but the conversation was only half on the game itself. Even more, it was going deeper and deeper into the subject of money in relation to God. What does the church, and the Bible have to do with tithing? Why have certain people made vows of poverty and is there any spiritual benefit in doing so? Monopoly got us talking about money which got us talking about God and, after a while, we all realized that nobody had taken a turn for a good long while. Nobody could remember whose turn it was and nobody even cared. God had invaded our game and all of us, four Christians and two nonchristians, were having church. Surely the Lord was in this place and none of us were even aware of it.
React: Have you ever had one of those moments? Have you ever been walking down the street when something, the wind… a butterfly… it could even be pigeon poop, whatever, opens up a spiritual truth, or an epiphany, or simply felt you had to burst out in praise? It can happen. Anytime. Anywhere. You can just be going on about your day when suddenly God shows up. He invades your life. For Jacob, he was on the run for his life. It would be like taking a nap at a bus terminal when suddenly the hallway doesn’t lead to the restrooms but rather to the pearly gates. Angels are walking back and forth down that hall and God Himself is at the far end and says, “You’re running now but you’ll come back. The whole time you’re gone, you aren’t gone from me. I’ll be right with you. I will protect you. I’ve got you, Jake. I’ve got you.”
I know there are hundreds of people who will read this. For some, the message is simply to be aware. Keep your eyes open for those epiphanies. Stay ready for those moments when God invades the random with His presence. He loves to do it. That was what I intended on writing about today. There are a few of you, maybe just one, that I feel God is telling you something more. You feel like a failure. You feel like you’ve run from your family, your responsibilities, maybe even your God. I don’t know your situation in this moment but He does, and what He told Jacob that evening He is saying to you. “I’m still with you. I’ve never left. You might have run but I am bringing you back. I’ve got this, just trust me. I’ve got this.”
Respond:
Dear God,
Invade our moments. Show up in those random times when we had no idea. Come into our lives in ways unexpected and unlooked for. We long for You. Let us see Your glory in the wind on the grass. Let us hear Your voice on the snow blowing down when all we want to do is get out of the cold. Let us recognize Your face in the stranger we bump into while buying groceries. Help us to feel Your hand in those lonely solitary moments when no one can see our tears. Where ever we are at, speak to each us in a way that is extremely unique and intensely personal. Speak to us. Let us know that You are still here. You are still in control. You’ve got this.
Amen
THE RIVER WALK 
beautiful……its true. I was very tired few days ago….business had loads of issues and there was so much to do at home with kids as well…I was thinking to myself- doesn’t god help them who work so hard? I reached home expecting the house to be a mess….instead I find my son at the door….putting his arms around me and saying mom I love you…you work so hard..so surprise for you…me and dad made lovely dinner for you and look i even cleaned the mess…..it was almost as if god was reminding me of his presence telling me…I am there dont worry!!!!
This is just plain beautiful!! Beautiful reminder ❤️
Lovely post, I can clearly understand what you are saying and can relate it with my life.
I surely had some of my moments and awaiting some of them more.
Lovely post.
My family is grieving the loss of my sister’s little boy who passed away just before Christmas. My husband, children and I along with many others were praying for him for the month before, through his sudden illness. It has been so hard to keep showing my kids that there is value in prayer and that God hears us and loves us. I know He does and yet in times of deep sorrow it is hard to ‘feel’ it. Thank you for this timely reminder when I feel all I can see is bucket loads of pigeon poop. Funnily enough I enjoyed Monopoly for the first time this Christmas, the simple joy of sitting and playing a game with my children reminds me of the little good gifts God does give us every day even when we feel overwhelmed. I am aiming to look for more of them each day through this dark period.
I have lost at different times a father, a sister, a niece, grandparents, and a best friend. Each time grief is overwhelming but different so I cannot imagine the sorrow of your loss. One thing that has always remained true is that when we are at our worst and weakest, God’s grace and peace is strongest. Praying for you and your family through this time.
Thank you Beejai, our paths are similar although mercifully I haven’t lost a sibling or close friend. I do think the grief of the loss of a child is the most piercing. I am already so grateful for the comfort the Lord has brought me through His word, His people and worship. It is wonderful to know we are never alone. (Kari Jobe’s ‘I am not alone’ speaks so much to me right now)
The Lord works in my life every day; I just don’t always see it. It is never, for instance, a matter of luck of crossing paths with someone and having a cup of conversation that warms my heart. It isn’t a mere coincidence that I cross paths with someone who needs my shoulder to lean on. It is a blessing to be on the receiving end of God’s loving care through others and to have a giving part in helping others. Thanks for sharing your heartwarming post.
Amen! Amen!! Amen!!! Thank you so much… You just made my first quiet time of the year
Amen! Very reassuring knowing He loves me still even when I don’t feel or see Him, Christ loves me still this I know. He will yet show up big time on my behalf and change the course of my life for His glory. I just need you Lord to show me a token for good. Wrap your arms round about me Lord, quieten my spirit, soothe my heart Jesus! Thanks Beejai.
Happy 2017
Good posts, beautiful blog.
Congratulations.
Powerful reminder for myself…and I love the song…very appropriate with your insights
Reblogged this on Shiny Thoughts and commented:
Open eyes and open hearts, open ears and open hands.
Reblogged at Surrender884 I was lost but now found.
Such a great reminder. We get so bogged down with life sometimes it can be hard to stop and recognize his glory. I love these moments though when he invades our space and we have to recognize that he is there. Love your blog!
We are discovering the more we seek Him, the more He reveals Himself to us. God is so good.
Good job on filling your role as minister and Christian. You’re a real preacher man. You’ll definitely reap what you sow. I’m sure of it✌🏼🙏🏼✌🏼🙏🏼✌🏼🙏🏼✨🌙✨🌙✨🌙😁😁
Thank you
So true! I love that God meets us where need to be. Sometimes he meets us even when we don’t wanna see Him, but that’s when we come to praise Him more sometimes because He humbles us. He reminds us that we do need Him. Great post! 🙂
Very important reminder! Great post
Help us to feel Your hand in those lonely solitary moments when no one can see our tears?
Yes. Lord, yes.
This was a great read! Beautiful, true and really worth applying in my life!! Thanks so much for the article.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful piece… we’ll open our eyes more for those moments
Love this! God is always on time!
Love it and yes, inspiration can occur from any place, anywhere! Thanks for this great post, 🙂
Yes .. God has certainly showed up out of nowhere … made me smile, pulled me out of trouble, lent me a hand, and thrown some tickets along the way to places -which am still not sure whether He wanted me to go there or he saw the innermost recesses of my hearts desires. Have been wondering whether to write about it . for it seems ‘monetary’ but your post kinda of tells me I need to acknowledge his mysterious works 🙂
Blessings