A Glimpse of God

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us

—ROMANS 8:35, 37-39 (NLT )

So often when people are going through difficult seasons they ask: Where is God? And just as often, we forget that God is always with us—through all of the beautiful and the terrible. I wish God would show up with a big neon sign announcing God’s presence, or storm in with an army to make things right, or perform a healing miracle right when I ask for it. But more often, God shows up in small merciful glimpses of joy and love. The presence of a friend. An encouraging word at the right time. The beauty of a sunset after a long day. God is with us in the wonder and tears, through the sorrows and celebrations, through the amazement and disbelief of life. As theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, “The joy of God has gone through the poverty of the manger and the agony of the cross; that is why it is invincible, irrefutable. It does not deny the anguish, when it is there, but finds God in the midst of it.” May you have the eyes to see the presence of God in the midst of whatever it is you’re facing today.

READ THIS BLESSING
FROM THE LIVES WE ACTUALLY HAVE
for a little boost in the morning (p. 48)

Resurrection has happened again today–you made the sun rise,
and brought love to the world already, in the shape of a cross.
The hardest work is already done.

The work that remains is simply more of it:
more love, more trust, more faith in the unseen pleasure you take
just gazing at us, sitting here.

 REFLECT

1. Have you ever asked or wondered, “Where is God in this situation”? What were you going through?

2. Galatians 5:22-23 describes the signs of the Spirit as joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, love, and self control. Sometimes God works through miracles. And sometimes God is present through small moments of God’s Spirit. During that difficult season, did you experience God through one of these mysterious ways?

3. Where do you see God in your life right now? Through the love of a friend? Joy of a grandchild? The goodness or beauty of nature around you?