Don’t Peek Inside My Car

photo by: cindybultema.blogspot.com

Ok, be honest. You’ve peered into total strangers’ cars before…at least once…right? No? Are you afraid to admit it?

Well, I experienced this today. (Don’t judge me)

Here’s what happened.

I pulled up at Starbucks to get some uninterrupted work done. (yes, I’m one of those people)  As I am getting out of my car, a fairly large note on the console of the car next to me caught my eye. The interior was pretty dark so the 3×5 ‘white’ card kind of stood out. Anyway, I noticed hand writing on it. I didn’t want to appear like a total creeper, so here’s what I could make of the note in the 1.497 second glance I took.  It was a Bible verse, including the referance.  It might have been from Romans.  (No, I did not take this picture with my phone. Who do you think I am?)

Here are 3 things I learned from this moment:

1.  If you look close enough, you will find evidence of other believers around you every day.  This made me smile.

2.  Similar to this person, don’t be afraid to make your faith visible in public.  Who knows who you will encourage… even unintentionally.

3.  Refrain from trying to figure out whose car it is while you are sitting in Starbucks.  It will drive you crazy.

Important tip:  I do not advise looking into stangers cars.  However, if you do, be sure there isn’t anyone sitting in the back seat before you take second glances inside the vehicle.  #AwkwardMoment 

Leave a comment or similar experience below.

Sabbath Reflections

Mondays are my day off…and my Sabbath (day of rest and spiritual reflection). Below are some of the passages and thoughts I experienced this morning.

Photo by: http://www.iprayerm.com

 

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked. (1 Chronicles 4:9, 10 ESV)

The prayer of Jabez was simple, short, and specific. The Bible refers to his as honorable. And I’m assuming he had a significant amount of faith, because we are told that ‘God granted what he asked.’

And when he (Saul) had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. (Acts 9:26, 27 ESV)

Sometimes our brothers or sisters need our help affirming their credibility. Whether they’re a new christian or truly on the right path back to walking with Jesus, the Lord may call on you or I to come along side them for a season. May we notice these times and be available when we are called.

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15 ESV)

God is not opposed to us having wealth, things, or abundant joy. But he does warn us to not allow these things to take his place as God. His heart is for you and I to desire him above all these things. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 ESV) The key point is this. Whether we have great need or are in need of absolutely nothing, we always have our God. He is our greatest possession.

May this bless you as much as it has me today. What is God speaking to you?

Don’t get distracted from all that God has for you

Sometimes we allow big moments, good and bad, to keep us from being fully alert.  

photo by: lifehacker.com

Take a look at this passage regarding the mystery of God.

Just as you don’t know the path of the wind, or how bones develop in the womb of a pregnant woman, so you don’t know the work of God who makes everything.  In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hand rest, because you don’t know which will succeed, whether one or the other, or if both of them will be equally good.   Ecclesiastes 11:5-6  (HCSB)

God’s work is unpredicable.  It’s mysterious.  He has his reasons for how, when, and why he does what he does.

“In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hand rest.”  In other words, don’t just plant your seeds in the first part of your day and then spend the rest of your day sitting there watching to see if something will happen.  God longs for our attention through the entire day.

Look at it this way.  Let’s say you were able to give a homeless man $10 this morning on your way to work.  That’s wonderful.  But don’t allow that one good deed distract you from other kingdom opportunities that God may have for you later that same day.  Our work is never done.  And this is a good thing.  This should remind us that God wants us to partner with him constantly.  It’s a priviledge.

 

This can even apply to trails and spiritual attacks.  Sometimes we will be in spiritual battle over depression, finances, relationships, or health issues.  While God does give us his armor to stand firm against these attacks, I also believe these can be timely distractions….distractions from seeing critical movements of God’s hand in our life and the lives of those around us.

 

How have you seen God’s work to be mysterious in your life?