I read that phrase once a while back, and it has stuck with me ever since. In the past couple years, God has opened my eyes to recognize different ways that He is present with me, whether it be a sense of peace amidst a trial; a friendly text, email, or phone call when I least expect it but need it the most; or whether it is in fellowship with dear friends and family.
I think when I pray, often I want God to part the skies and reach down and right the wrongs or fix something in this huge fashion. When that doesn’t happen, I wonder if I prayed right, did something wrong, etc. But then looking back, sometimes years later, it occurs to me all the different ways God WAS there and at work. I think about Elijah in the mountains. Check this out:
1 Kings 19:11-12
11 Then he was told, “Go, stand on the mountain at attention before GOD. GOD will pass by.”
A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before GOD, but GOD wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but GOD wasn’t in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake fire, but GOD wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.
God shows up however He chooses. The way He usually shows up is quietly and subtly, orchestrating things according to His plan.
Getting back to the title, this week I have been thinking a lot about how important fellowship and friendship are, and what a role they have played in my life. I heard a quote once, that faith is a team sport, or something along those lines. God hardwired us to long for companionship. Not just in a romantic way, but with friends and family as well.
This week, I have been going on bicycle rides with my good friend Lawrence. Not just any bike rides. We’ve worked our way up to 32 miles, and we’ve done those rides two or three days in a row. It’s hard, my legs hurt all the time, and one of the side effects of bike riding is my butt really hurts haha. But the cool part has been that I am getting in shape, and pushing my body to do things I haven’t done since high school. Even cooler is that Lawrence has patiently coached me along, and helped me work my way up. I know for a fact I wouldn’t have the discipline to do this day after day without having Lawrence there.
Life is like that too. God puts people in our lives to encourage us and help us along. He gives us people who are accountability partners, role models whom we strive to imitate, and people who are older and wiser who have experienced more life and want to share. God also puts people in our lives to share our burdens. One of my favorite scenes in scripture is where Paul and Silas, having been brutally beaten earlier, are singing praises to God together while shackled in their jail cell. I can’t imagine that at all, but even more hard to imagine is Paul or Silas having to go through that alone. When the woman in our congregation passed away earlier this year, our pastor’s wife commented that she didn’t want the husband to grieve alone. She wanted to be sad with him, and help carry the burden. That’s beautiful. We always have the promise that wherever two or more are gathered, there God will be also.
I would make a list of all the people who have been a blessing to me, but that would require a lot more space. My Crossing friends, Living Hope Family, St. Andrew’s family, and my home family are certainly all on the list.
johnnydeegs 