Did that title resonate with you? Does your heart long…even ache…to see and understand God’s work in your life? Those who are in Christ, I believe, naturally desire that.
I’m on vacation this week so…giving you an old story from the past year. It is a timeless reminder of our need to expect to see God’s work in our lives and to be amazed by it through a visit to the big top.
We made our way to the big top…expecting excitement.
Two rows behind the one ring soon to be filled with tigers, elephants, camels and a woman swinging high on a trapeze.
Our anticipation was rewarded.
Eyes enlarged. Unable to take in all. In awe.
Truly…death-defying acts performed before us. Stunts done without mats. Angry tigers. Kids delighted. I cringed. Unsure if we should’ve been watching. I was waiting for the worst.
Performers risked life and limb to create the experience. We were on the edge of our seat.
After twirling…holding on only by her teeth over a floor with no mat at the top of the big top…the woman lifted her arms for applause. The applause left me wanting more for her.
At least 500 people and that was it. I looked around and saw more people untouched than in awe. I saw popcorn shoved and peanuts cracked. Little acknowledgement that a woman just risked her life for a job and a show.
I wanted to stand up and ask for more. Why are people apathetic in light of what just happened? Are we…as a culture…so surrounded by stimulation and action that…this…even this leaves many of us flat?
This experience has haunted me.
Perhaps it is because I have related it to the spiritual world.
I wondered…even as I sat there…if this is the way I am before God.
Sometimes I go about life under the big top…walking with God…expecting to see His hand at work doing marvelous things. I wait and watch and am amazed. Eyes wide.
Sometimes I go about it just the opposite.
This life…my life…the one someone layed down his life for…becomes blah.
God does something really cool and I am too busy waving my own light-up wand to notice him. Or I’m just too busy cracking peanuts to even see it.
When I should be expecting God’s help and hand active and amazing…I cringe and expect the worst to happen.
When I’m not fully aware of what’s happening in God’s show…under His big top…I lose joy.
So what is the answer for me if I want to see God work in my life? If I want more passion in my walk with the Lord? What is the rememdy for an inattentive heart? For you if you experience the same?
We must do what we already know:
1.Wait…prayerfully (be expectant)
5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; 6 my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. – Psalm 130: 5-6
2.Watch (be aware)
O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress. – Psalm 59:9
3.Write (make note in my mind or on paper in order to remember)
11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. 12 I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. 13 Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? 14 You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. 15 You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph.
16 When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. 17 The clouds poured out water; the skies gave forth thunder; your arrows flashed on every side. 18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lighted up the world; the earth trembled and shook. 19 Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. 20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. -Psalm 77:11-20
4.Wave (give a hand, praise, give thanks)
8 Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! 9 Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! 10 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! 11 Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! -1 Chronicles 16:8-11
Hurry…Hurry…step right up! See the amazing God of creation work in our lives!
Will you begin to begin again with me today? I’m waiting, watching, writing and waving with you today…
I’m linking up this week with:
Oh so so good! I want to expect today, and count His marvelous gifts.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting!
Nice post today
Thanks for stopping by!
I’m visiting from the Desire to Inspire link-up. What a convicting post! 🙂 I’ve been one of those guilty ones, too busy to notice the work He’s already doing. Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad I’m not the only one feeling guilty 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Amy,
I am touched and crying inside as I feel and experience this all around me! How can we become so jaded? But, sadly, I see it in myself, too. It is telling of how far we are from living in the light! And we have an awesome God, but it makes me thing if this scripture:
“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
4“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’ ”
6And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18: 1-8
That last line has stayed with me…Amy, thank you for your writing from the heart! It is excellent! Please don’t grow weary in well-doing for the Lord and His kingdom!!
May the Lord bless you richly and encourage you in your walk with Him!!!
Love in Jesus,
Jacqueline
Thank you for your sweet note! The scripture you shared was the icing on the cake for me in regards to what I felt God was convicting me about. As sad as it makes me to come to the realization of how jaded we can be, I had not fully thought through how grieved it might make Jesus. But this last line, as you say, sticks with me too. It is as if He is saying, “Even though I would give you anything, will I find faith when I come back?” Your note convicts me further! Thanks so much for taking the time to respond with a thoughtful scripture and encouragement. Much needed today! I always love seeing your picture of you with your little ones when I link-up each week! Sweet…
What a great post. I long to see God at work and people lose their apathy, too!
–Gena
Thank you, Gena, and thank you for your link-up!
What a wonderful word picture. It gives me much to think on. I may use this as a dinner conversation starter with my family. Thank you!
What an honor if you do use this at dinner! Thanks so much for stopping by. I am heading on over to your site now as I heard someone somewhere say that you had a great post this week!
What a wonderful post! I *love* the spiritual tie in to something I have often noticed at events like these- where’s the wonder and amazement?! Good question for me to ask myself! Thank you for linking up at Thrilling Thursday!
Thanks for the link up and for stopping by!
This post was “The Post That Thrilled Me Most” from last week’s Link Up! It’ll be the featured post for tomorrow’s “Thrilling Thursday” – I hope to see you back again!
Ren-thank you for featuring my post…that was such a sweet surprise! I enjoy your link-up–thanks for making it available to us!
Good analogy Amy. Thanks for linking up over at WholeHearted Wednesdays last week.
Thank you Judith…
Such very good thoughts. This watching thing is trickier than it looks, isn’t it? Thanks for these tips here!
It is tricky…I need a daily reminder! Thanks for stopping by!
What an awesome parallel! We are a complacent people who have lost our awe for God. I want it back. Thank you for encouraging that! I love that you linked this up with me last week at Walking Redeemed!
Thanks for stopping by and for your link-up. I think complacent could be my second middle-name! I want that awe all of the time…
This is without a doubt, God’s word to me today friend! Thank you! “Do what you know..” Blessings from UNITE,~ Jen
Thanks for stopping by and for your encouragement…
Amy,
I am touched and crying inside as I feel and experience this all around me! How can we become so jaded? But, sadly, I see it in myself, too. It is telling of how far we are from living in the light! And we have an awesome God, but it makes me thing if this scripture:
“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
4“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’?”
6And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” Luke 18: 1-8
That last line has stayed with me…Amy, thank you for your writing from the heart! It is excellent! Please don’t grow weary in well-doing for the Lord and His kingdom!!
May the Lord bless you richly and encourage you in your walk with Him!!!
Love in Jesus,
Jacqueline