Sometimes when I feel God speaking to me it is like a gradual revealing of truth. Certain themes repeat in different ways until I make the connections and see a bigger picture. A dear friend of mine would call this “ribbons and bows”. It’s as if God places different ideas in a package before tying them all together in a beautiful gift of understanding.
Recently, I have felt God speaking to me gradually about how he works with us. In the Garden of Eden, God tasked Adam with working and taking care of the garden (Genesis 2:15). God presented all the animals before Adam for them to be named (Genesis 2:19). Surely God, who created these creatures is more than capable of naming them. Yet, he involved Adam and gave him responsibility for it. In John 5:19 it is easy to see how Jesus understood this.
John 5:10 [NIV]
19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
So what does working with God look like? For me, it has felt like a gentle call to follow where he goes and be where he asks me to be. It also means learning to say no to some things. I can trust God to cover me in all respects. God did not ask Adam to design or create animals; Adam only needed to do his part. It is the same for me. I also need not worry about my shortcomings because it is God who is able. His love for me is not based in works or what I am able to achieve. God told Jesus that he was well pleased with his son before Jesus even started his ministry (Matthew 3:16).
Yet God is already at work and we have the delight of being able to join in with him wherever he calls us (as he, too, delights in us). It does require action from us though, even if that is as simple as saying ‘yes’. I am so excited to share more stories of how and where God is speaking and at work as we move through 2024. In the meantime, I will leave you with a verse that has meant a lot to me as I have tried to follow God’s call:
Isaiah 43:19 [NIV]
19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
Thank you all so much for reading. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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Until next week,
Laura
This is on my kitchen wall! The picture was done by a friend.
Love this and it's really encouraged me today. To do what I can, not what I can't. Thank you! Xxx