Hand Of God

A photo posted to Face Book and a news article quote both appearing today caused me to ponder this question:

“This traffic just north of Atlanta heading to South Carolina to observe the total Eclipse which will last twenty seconds.”

If God was scheduled to make a 20 second appearance today, would we be reacting the same way that we did for the pending Solar eclipse? One news agency called it the eclipse of the century. Another said; eclipse captivates millions. Some communities planned parties up to a year in advance. A brief drive around my neighborhood found dozens outside, looking up. Likely by the time you read this, the “event” will be long over and we’ll have moved back to arguing over statues and political candidates and such. But imagine for a moment if we got this excited over something that really made a difference.

Now I understand, this is a rare and exciting moment in universal history; first time in 99 years. I went out and took a peak too. But I can’t help but wonder how many people will pause to consider what one journalist did this morning. Eric Metaxas, a Fox News contributor wrote, “Three thousand years ago a man in Israel wrote: The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” That man didn’t have a telescope or a (Encyclopedia) Britannica, but he saw something many of us today still do not see. He saw a God behind it all.”

We have a crisis in the world today. A crisis of hope, and identity, and purpose. We’re losing site of what we’re here for, and we’re falling for anything the media chooses to lay on us. Seems like we’ll believe anything they tell us. There used to be at least a foundational belief in universal truth. Now, I’m not even sure the whole community of faith can agree on much of that. But it’s not time to despair. It’s time to stand up and represent the universal truth again – that the Kingdom of Heaven is here, now. Wasn’t today impressive evidence? And we got to be a part of it! It was so much more than wonderful science. It’s a context that’s critical to understanding your life. People need God now more than ever. He showed Himself in a magnificent way today. And the world paused, even just for a moment, in unity, to witness it.

Maybe, rather than just being a natural phenomenon, moments like the eclipse today are God’s way of trying to remind us that we are truly not alone. That we are a body of creation featured in an epic story being told by an amazing creator. That we are not like as C.S. Lewis described as, “half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

Our since of awe and wonder has been tickled today, even if for just a minute or two. We were in a frenzy for a few moments, about something God had his hand all over. May that since of wonder and delight bleed over into our life everyday prompting us to see Him in all things about our lives. May we allow God, the Creator, to be in charge more, and ourselves less.

Greg Tutwiler – http://www.FreedomLiving.org

Pilgrimage Into The Inner Life

I recently picked up a copy of Gerard Thomas Struab’s Thoughts Of A Blind Beggar. Straub’s story from being an atheist to becoming a pilgrim is fascinating. He wrote; “I found myself in an empty church in Rome … I had no idea that an empty church and an empty man were about to become a a meeting place of grace.”

The book is a collection of musings captured over a period of time as he wrestled with God, and faith, and grace as he was being transformed. The simplicity of the thoughts are filled with profound notions about life, and God, and humanity. Each one has become a trail marker for me as I continue on my own personal pilgrimage. Below are a few of the ones that have caused me to seek an oasis of reflection …

Each day needs to be a pilgrimage into my own heart.

God never shouts to be heard over our noise. Only silence gives God a chance to speak.

In condemning others, I am avoiding the more difficult task of knowing myself.

Contemplation requires tranquility and patience.

Listen … don’t think.

I could go on, but I think you get the point. Unless we are willing to go on a personal inner journey to truth, healing and transformation, we will miss much of what life has to offer. Let God take you there.