A Quiet Heaven

Does it ever seem to you like God gets real quiet sometimes? Have you ever wondered why? There's really no one right answer to that question. Every situation is different. However when you've done all you can do to pray, believe, and stand your ground, it takes great faith to continue on when God seems quiet. Although I know it's wonderful when a prayer is answered; when you hear yourself say, "God, even when I can't trace you I still believe you" that's when you know there's real progress. You might be saying, "Oh great, Pastor. Maturity is exactly what I wanted!" I understand! I know that's not ultimately what you prayed for. However with every prayer, with every muttered request or boisterous appeal, there's an underlying contingency plan. God has the option to use that open door to teach you something that will go further than the answer you're asking for. God is strategic and rest assured, He has all of us in process. So, occupy yourself with gladness and focus on the work of believing. And then go one further and get used to it! It's the believer's job.

Gratitude

Gratitude is one of the most beautiful things I can think of. By extension, the lack of it is glaring. I remember asking God years ago, "Why aren't things better for me?" I went on to ask, no let me correct that, I adamantly informed God of what was missing in my life. Yes I had a car and it was a Cadillac. However, my car was one of those five-milers. It went about five miles then quit. But it was clean and it was a Cadillac! It's only fault was it just wouldn't run very well. I demanded that God give me the answer immediately as to why, among other things, I had to drive such an unreliable car. It was about that time that He reminded me that I was indeed driving a car of my own. That couldn't be said by some folks looking for a ride to the grocery store, the doctor, school, and work that day. My perspective shifted. Thankfully, what happened that day has stuck with me my entire life. God never wanted me to forget His answer; the answer He gave me despite my arrogant tone. He said, "Why would I give you more when you're not grateful for what you have?"

How many times do we step all over the things that he have just because they don't measure up in our mind as enough? Exactly what is "enough?" And who said "enough" was enough? That answer is subjective however I know this, there's nothing so inappropriate as an ungrateful believer. Those two words plainly contradict each other. Try to envision an ungrateful believer. You can't do it because one doesn't exist. If you're actively in pursuit of believing you can't be ungrateful. Believing, by definition, includes identifying the miracles found in every day life. It survives by being focused on the miraculous ordinary.

Can you take a moment to identify the miraculous in your ordinary? Your ordinary car, your ordinary job, your ordinary meals, family, friends, bank account, vacation plans, college dreams for your children, health, and memories that make your life story what it is? I think you get the picture. I know I do. Why? Because in spite of opportunities to the contrary I never allowed gratitude to leave me. I purposed to make God's answer stick. Allow that to go deep in your spirit and remember, if some "thing" defines you, you've lost your identity.