by Paige K. Slighter
After our Christmas series, When God Shows Up, we encouraged you to look for God manifesting himself in everyday life. I was able to get some candid stories on Sunday after Osheta’s message on Everyday Epiphany.
Calvin, an attendee who lives in St. Paul, said he often experiences God showing up in “intangible ways.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines intangible as, “influencing you but not able to be seen or physically felt.” Much like the whisper in the wind that Elijah received in 1 Kings 19:11-12.
The LORD said, “Go out. Stand on the mountain in front of me. I am going to pass by.” As the LORD approached, a very powerful wind tore the mountains apart. It broke up the rocks. But the LORD wasn’t in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake. But the LORD wasn’t in the earthquake. After the earthquake a fire came. But the LORD wasn’t in the fire. And after the fire there was only a gentle whisper.
Calvin was discouraged about his job downtown. He felt like everyone was receiving promotions or some sort of bonus for their performance, yet his efforts went unnoticed. As he reflected on this, he started receiving unsolicited encouragement from his coworkers. They expressed that he was making an impact in their lives. Some even sent Christmas cards thanking him for his mentorship. In the end, Calvin found that the greatest gratification and reward he could receive was that of lives being changed –for him, God showed up through his coworkers.
Elizabeth, a Woodland worship vocalist, committed to make 2019 her year of intentionality seeking God’s presence through prayer and meditation. In our busy world, it’s easy to get caught up in a routine that leaves prayer as an afterthought. Martin Luther once said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.”
Elizabeth was feeling defeated and inadequate, especially in the area of worship, when she saw God manifest himself in the form of a text. As she cried out to him, a friend from New York messaged her exhorting her to use her gifts. “Worship is your warfare,” her friend said. Before that, they had not talked in over a year. On top of that, Elizabeth was scheduled to help lead worship at Woodland that weekend and one of the songs was War, which is a war cry declaring that through God’s power, we can resist the enemy’s attacks.
It’s easy to get discouraged when we do not see God showing up in the way we that we expected. As we continue to practice his presence, it’s comforting to know that he reveals himself in so many ways. Even when we do not see him moving, he’s still present and transforming our lives.
I have been reading “present perfect” and “the irresistible revolution.” Trying to be aware of God at all times and listening for his whispering voice. It’s difficult to stay focused but the more I try the more I see him in everyday life and situations.
Thanks so much for sharing Christine. It is a wonderful thing to see God at work!
I found out that I’ll need open-heart surgery in the next couple months to correct a defect from birth in my aorta.
My husband and I went out to eat to discuss this. After we ordered, a stranger in the restaurant came up to us to give us a 20% discount coupon for our meal. She couldn’t use it, and it was expiring. I told her she made our day because I just found out about my upcoming heart surgery.
She said her husband recently had heart surgery, and it wasn’t that bad or difficult. Then he came up to us and reassured me that it would be okay and I’d do just fine. If that wasn’t God showing up, I don’t know what was.
Wow! That’s an awesome story of God showing up! Thank you for sharing! Praying for a smooth surgery and quick recovery.