Where might Jesus have spent his first afternoon after the resurrection? With his disciples or family? That would make sense.
But Jesus chose instead to take a solitary walk–on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus–and happened upon Cleopas and an unnamed believer.
They didn’t recognize him; God chose to hide his Son’s identity from them. Almost immediately they began to talk about recent events in Jerusalem: Jesus’ death and resurrection.
The companions explained what they knew and expressed their disappointment in the outcome.
“We thought he’d rescue us from Roman rule and establish the kingdom of God he always talked about,” they confessed. “This morning some women and a few disciples went to his tomb and it was empty, but as far as we know, no one has actually seen him.”
Jesus chided them for focusing solely on the prophecies that presented a reigning Messiah who would overtake Israel’s enemies. He started expounding on other scriptures that foretold a suffering Messiah, who’d come to bear the penalty for humanity’s sins.
And as Jesus spoke, their spiritual eyes were opened to see how each prophecy had been fulfilled in Jesus Christ [1].
What scriptures did he share? The Bible doesn’t tell us. But perhaps Jesus included such examples as these:
1.“They conspire against me and plot to take my life” (Psalm 31:13b).
Fulfillment: “Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus” (Mark 3:6).
2. “And the Lord said to me, ‘Throw it to the potter’—the handsome price at which they valued me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the house of the Lord” (Zechariah 11:13).
Fulfillment: Judas was paid thirty pieces of silver to betray Jesus. When he returned it out of remorse, the chief priests used the money to buy a potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners (Matthew 26:14-16; 27:6-10).
3. “Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircle me; they pierce my hands and my feet” (Psalm 22:16).
Fulfillment: Jesus was crucified, his hands and feet nailed to a cross (Matthew 27:35).
4. “They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment” (Psalm 22:18).
Fulfillment: “When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
“‘Let’s not tear it,’ they said to one another. ‘Let’s decide by lot who will get it.’” (John 19:23-24).
5. “All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads” (Psalm 22:7).
Fulfillment: Passersby, Romans soldiers, chief priests, teachers of the law, elders, and even those crucified with him all mocked Jesus (Matthew 27:27-31, 39-44).
6. “They . . . gave me vinegar for my thirst” (Psalm 69:21).
Fulfillment: Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” They dipped a sponge in wine vinegar, put the sponge on a stalk, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips (John 19:28-29).
Of course, the hour or two Jesus discussed prophecies with Cleopas and his companion wasn’t nearly enough time to cover them all. The Old Testament contains over 300 passages about him, revealing at least 48 details about his life, death, and resurrection [2].
But the evidence the men heard was enough to prompt this passionate response: “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us” [3]?
As I’ve reviewed just these six prophecies listed above, my heart responded with the warm glow of wonder and worship. Only God could weave together so many precise circumstances into one Life—a Life that has defeated death for all who believe in him!
May such truths create a fire of devotion within us—holy heartburn that will warm and delight forever!
[1] Luke 24:13-32
[2] A recommended resource for more thorough study: The Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy, edited by Michael Reidelnik and Edwin Blum.
“This is your last chance!” shouted the leader of Columbian guerillas. “Join us, convince the Motilone to join us, and you will live. Otherwise, you are a dead man.”
The surrounding group of rebels aimed their guns at American missionary Bruce Olson. He fully expected to see Jesus in the next moment.
Of course, this was not the first time Bruce faced death during his twenty-seven years with the fierce Motilone tribe.
No sooner had he arrived in 1961, than Bruce was surrounded by tribal warriors who shot him in the leg with an arrow and took him captive. The guides who had led him to their village fled.
Bruce was just nineteen years old and had received no backing from any mission organization, because of his age and lack of training. But he’d seen a picture of the remote Columbian tribe and felt drawn to share with them about Jesus.
His own life had been wonderfully transformed by Christ, and Bruce desired that for others—especially for this people-group who knew nothing about Jesus.
(The Motilone live in northeastern Colombia and western Venezuela.)
Some would say, “Bruce must have misunderstood God’s plan. Otherwise, why would he experience calamity the minute he arrived?”
But look what God did.
First, the Motilone chief forbade the warriors to kill Bruce. Later he and his men would admit there was no reason to spare him; they just did.
The next day the chief’s son, Bobarishora, brought worms for Bruce to eat, which thankfully tasted like liquified bacon and eggs. In spite of the language barrier, Bruce and Bobarishora began to build a friendship.
The leg wound became infected. Bruce escaped and returned to civilization for treatment. But upon regaining strength, the young missionary went back to the tribe—only to contract dysentery and have to seek medical help again. He almost died in the effort.
For his third attempt to settle with the Motilone, Bruce brought medical supplies. The witch doctor took great interest in their healing powers and learned from Bruce how to use them. With Bobarishora and the witch doctor as allies, Bruce began to achieve acceptance in the tribe.
Over the next four years he learned the Motilone language and set about translating the New Testament into their language, putting to use his knowledge of Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.
Bobarishora, or “Bobby,” became the first to accept Jesus into his life. At a festival not long after, Bobby sang about the jungle trail of life, a metaphor familiar to the Motilone. Bobby explained he’d seen the footprints of God.
“There are many trails in the jungles,” he said. “But there is one trail that goes to the horizon.” (Bobby was referring to heaven.) “Christ came to walk that trail so we can walk in his footsteps.”[1]
It wasn’t long before many tribespeople had become Jesus-followers. They began sending their own missionaries to neighboring tribes to tell them about Christ.
The Motilone wanted to learn how to read and write, so Bruce started a school. He also set up a medical clinic, and led the effort to grow cacao, to help support the tribe.
(Cutting a cacao pod from the tree.)
Over time the proceeds helped finance 48 schools, more than 20 health clinics, 12 farming cooperatives, and numerous scholarships for Motilone students to attend high school and university.[2]
Then came the day in 1988 when 15 Communist guerillas kidnapped Bruce with the plan of forcing his cooperation, and convincing the Motilone to do so also. Bruce spent several months chained to a palm tree and became very ill. Somehow he survived.
One of the leaders asked Bruce to teach them how to read and write. They brought a book to Bruce, not knowing it was a New Testament. Bruce used it to teach the men to read, and many became Jesus followers.
Bruce’s health continued to deteriorate. The guerillas decided to give him a blood transfusion.
“I will give him some of my blood,” one rebel announced.
The next day he told Bruce that when he was a young child, the Motilone had given food to his widowed mother for three years, never asking for anything in return. “You saved my life,” he said, “Now, I save your life.”[3]
Months passed. No amount of mistreatment had convinced Bruce to help their cause.
One day a group stood him against a tree, announced his execution, and aimed their guns at him. But when they fired, Bruce remained unharmed. They’d shot blanks at him, expecting this final test to break him.
Sometime later one of the leaders told Bruce that capturing him had been a mistake. He hoped that Bruce could forgive them.
He promised the rebels would leave the Motilone alone, and Bruce could continue his work. After nine months of captivity, they released him.
As a result of Bruce’s long devotion to the tribe, more than 400 Motilone have graduated from high school, and over 30 from university, trained as physicians, accountants, translators, forest rangers, agriculturalists, and more. Still others have received technical training.
All have returned to their jungle communities to share their expertise within the tribe.
As of 2018, more than 70% of the Motilone tribe are following in Christ’s footsteps to the horizon.[4]
As for Bruce Olson, now 80, you’ll find him still working with the people of 18 different tribes and languages of the jungles.[5]
Pretend you’re on an ocean liner headed from New York City to England. You and several thousand other passengers enjoy your days at sea, free to choose from dozens of activities—games, shopping, shows, sports, crafts, and more.
You can eat anytime you like, sleep whenever you feel drowsy, make friends among the other passengers or remain solitary. In other words, you make many choices during the voyage, but all the while the ship is headed towards its predetermined destination.
A.W. Tozer gave us this ocean-voyage illustration in his classic, The Knowledge of the Holy, to help us understand God’s sovereignty:
Our all-powerful God wields total authority in the universe, just as the shipping authorities exercise sovereignty over the course of a ship.
We’ve been given much freedom within the confines of God’s sovereignty to move about and make choices.
Now some folks take issue with God’s control. They want to direct the course of their life-ships. I for one find great comfort in the numerous, reassuring scriptures about God’s sovereignty.
For example, everything in heaven and earth belongs to Him. He is the glorious head over all, the ruler of all things (1 Chronicles 29:11-12). That includes us–those who know Jesus and belong to the family of God.
As our Heavenly Father, he provides for our needs, guides us through decisions, bestows many blessings, and more. What encouraging truth! The Almighty God of the universe is in charge of our lives as we submit to him. We don’t have to navigate alone.
The key, however, is submission. God is a gentleman and will not force himself upon us. He’s chosen to limit his sovereignty, to allow humans free choice.
Another reassuring truth: God is totally competent. We’ve all known inept leaders who couldn’t fulfill their responsibilities.
But our Ruler is supremely capable. Nothing is too hard for him (Jeremiah 32:17). As we focus on his complete sufficiency, our worries shrink in significance.
In addition, no plan of God’s can be thwarted (Job 42:2). What God says, happens.
His sovereign plan is efficient and goal-oriented. He works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his perfect plan (Isaiah 25:1).
God’s sovereignty is also employed with infinite wisdom (Job 12:13). No foolish decisions come from God’s throne!
And contrary to appearances, he does maintain over-arching rule on humankind (Daniel 4:35).
Consider how circumstances must have seemed to the people of Judah as the barbaric Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem in 586 B. C., murdered all the nobles, and took thousands of Jewish captives to Babylon.
That wasn’t an isolated case of oppression either. Good people have suffered at the hands of the wicked for eons, and it breaks our hearts. It breaks God’s heart too (Isaiah 63:10).
Our question of why God allows bad things to happen to good people doesn’t always get answered. We’re not privy to everything God knows or all the reasons behind his decisions (Romans 11:33-36).
What we do know is this: evil never wins in the end. Every evil empire of history that rose in prominence and power eventually fell in ruin. Our sovereign God knows what he’s doing.
And he will have the last word.
So when the squeaky wheels of worry, doubt, or fear begin to spin in your head, and you wonder, Who’s in Charge Here?, apply the oil of gladness, delighting in who God is—your all-powerful, all-knowing, all-wise, and yes, in-control God!
Take joy in the knowledge that “if God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31)?
And rest in thIs affirmation: “from him and through him and to him are all things” (Romans 11:36, emphasis added).
* * * * * * * * * *
Sovereign Lord of the universe, I bow in worshipful wonder of your magnificence. Your greatness shatters all boundaries! I stand in awe of your vast power and infinite wisdom, always at work in the world.
But for those timeswhen I cannot understand your plan or your ways, help me stand in the truth of who you are.
(Revised and reblogged from February 26, 2015, while we enjoy the company of out-of-town family.)
In April of this year I shared an idea borrowed from blogger Michele Morin, about journaling through hymns and praise songs. Such an exercise allows us to meditate on the lyrics, discovering more meaning than when we quickly sing through the words.
In that post I shared from my thoughts on “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” (Here’s a link to that post, Opening Up New Spaces.)
Today, let’s look more closely at another hymn rich with implications, “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise.”
I praise You, O God, for your immortality. There is much comfort in the fact that you–in all your sovereignty, power, and wisdom–have always existed and always will.
I praise You for your invisibility, which allows you to reside within the spirits of all your children. We marvel at the wonder of such a phenomenon–such a privilege–to enjoy intimacy with you, the King of the universe!
I praise you for your incomparable wisdom. Nothing is ever a mystery to you. You’re never puzzled, confused, or uncertain.[1] You always know the best course of action that will best serve everyone involved—even those who are part of the ripple effect, perhaps years later.
How amazing that you make your wisdom available to us–including an ordinary person like me.[2]
“In light inaccessible hid from our eyes”
You are light. Your radiance is like sunlight, and rays flash from your hands! No one can physically look upon such brilliance.
But your light also symbolizes the purity of your character. Just as sunlight brightens our world, your multi-beamed goodness brightens my soul with grace, strength, blessings, and more.
You also illuminate truth in my life, through the light of your Word. And by the power of your Spirit I can walk daily in the guiding, cheering light of your presence.[3]
“Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days”
I praise You that you are most blessed. That is, you are fully satisfied within yourself. (Of course this is true–you’re perfect!)
You’re also most blessed because of your holiness–transcendent and “totally other” from anything else in the universe.
In addition, you’re “most glorious.” Your breath-taking attributes astound us, including your:
omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence
infinity, changelessness, and self-sufficiency
faithfulness, goodness, and justice
mercy, grace, and love
holiness, righteousness, and immanence
I praise you for demonstrating all these traits with acts of power. You perform wonders that cannot be fathomed, and miracles that cannot be counted![4]
Our family has witnessed numerous wonders and miracles. “We are filled with the good things of your house” (Psalm 65:46), many of which are recorded in my God -Is-Faithful journal.
I also praise you for being our Ancient of Days—a name that speaks of your regality, endurance, and sound judgment. You have reigned in supremacy through eons past and will continue to reign into eternity yet to come.
Again, what sweet comfort and joyful wonder to contemplate that you, such an incredible God, are with me and within me, wielding your attributes for my benefit.
“Almighty, victorious—Thy great name we praise.”
King David wrote, “How majestic is your name in all the earth” (Psalm 8:1)! Perhaps he had in mind the multiplicity of your names, each one highlighting different facets of your character. You are:
Elohim, God of supreme power and might
El Roi, the God Who Sees, who watches over all
Jehovah Jireh, our God who provides
Jehovah Rapha, our God who heals
Yaweh Shalom, our God of peace
And that’s just a few out of many. I thank you that as each one reveals more truth about you, we grow to know you better. I also praise you for the hope and encouragement we find in your glorious names.
You, O God, are most worthy of praise because of your infinite excellencies. I praise you for your greatness–beyond human comprehension!
Note how the following authors demonstrate this most valuable of all talents:
“It is good people who make good places.”—Anna Sewell, Black Beauty
“Trials come to prove and improve us.”—St. Augustine
“Change always comes bearing gifts.”—Price Pritchett
Conciseness contributes to effectiveness, agreed?
In Romans 15:13, the Apostle Paul wrote a magnificent but concise blessing for the Christians in Rome. He brought together five key concepts of our faith—hope, joy, peace, trust, and power—in just thirty words or so, depending on the translation:
Whole books have been written to expound on each concept. But since this is a blog post, not a treatise, I’ll try to keep it short—and concise!
HOPE
Our Christian hope is not wishful thinking; it is confident reliance on the sacred certainties of our Heavenly Father.
Paul calls him our God of hope because of his glorious attributes manifested in our lives—his omnipotent power, gracious mercy, continual patience, lavish kindness, and absolute reliability—to name a few.
And with statements of faith we can bolster our hope—statements such as these:
“God is kind and good, wise and powerful. All his attributes are always at work for my benefit.”
“God is accomplishing purpose in these circumstances, just as he always does.”
“He will bring me through this situation, and I’ll be a better person for it.”
JOY
Joy is not the absence of all misery and the presence of every whim; joy is found in the presence of God.
Sound silly? Talk to an old saint who has walked with Jesus many years—who’s felt the Lord’s presence surrounding him, heard God’s whispers in his heart, and experienced his guidance and provision again and again.
This saint will tell you: the pleasures of this life don’t begin to compare to the soul-delight of intimacy with God.
PEACE
Peace is not found in circumstances; it’s found in a Person, the Prince of Peace. The better we know him, the better we know peace.
Tension decreases as we affirm:
He is completely trustworthy.
He knows everything; he’s in control of everything.
He takes pleasure in blessing us with all that we need.
He is with us to comfort, strengthen, and encourage.
Even in the midst of difficulty, we can experience his peace. In fact, it’s a promise.
TRUST
It’s God’s part to work all things for good; it’s our part to trust.
The question becomes, What can I do to grow in trust?
The answer: express gratitude. “The foremost quality of a trusting disciple is gratefulness”[1].
So thank God, even in the midst of frustration, disappointment, heartache, and pain. “There’s a good God leading, working all things into good. It is safe to trust”[2]!
POWER
The power to thrive does not come from within ourselves; it comes from the power of the Holy Spirit.
Do circumstances appear impossible to rectify? Think on the power of God. He scatters the stars in space. He breathes life into every creature. He provides everything necessary to sustain our little planet.
It’s that kind of absolute, unlimited power that will see each of us through every crisis until we’re home with him.
And so, in one concise verse Paul majestically highlights five pillars of the abundant life.
When we embrace the hope, joy, and peace that God offers, when we trust in him with expectancy and resolve, when we pray for his power to be released in and through us, our lives and outlook will become radiant and alive[3]!
Doesn’t that sound like a glorious way to live?
Scriptures for further reflection:
Hope–Psalm 145:8-9; Daniel 2:20; John 5:17; Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:28; James 1:2-4
Because God says we’re forgiven (Psalm 103:8-12), let’s refuse to dwell on past sins.
Sins are so remitted, as if they had never been committed.
Thomas Adams
Because God proclaims us righteous (1 Corinthians 1:30), let’s refuse to be haunted by past failures.
Do you know what you imply when you say that you are a Christian? It is that you are as guiltless in God’s sight as Christ Himself.
G. V. Wigram
Because God has already asserted his 100% approval of us (Ephesians 1:4-5), let’s stop pursuing perfection.*
Because God has made clear his love for us (Romans 5:8), let’s not tarnish that love with disbelief.
All shall be well, all shall be well . . . For there is a force of love moving through the universe that will hold us fast and never let us go.
Julian of Norwich
Because God pronounces each of us his masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10 ISV), let’s not berate his workmanship.
All who are in Christ form the highest, finest, and most beautiful expression of [God’s] thought and purpose. They are masterpieces upon whom he bestowed his best.
Herbert Lockyer, Seasons of the Lord, 330
Because God says, “Fear not” (Isaiah 41:13), let’s not doubt his unlimited power to help.
Because God affirms he’s our unfailing source of strength (Isaiah 40:29-31), let’s refuse to say we’re weak.
It is impossible for that man to despair who remembers that his Helper is omnipotent.”
Jeremy Taylor
Because God declares he’ll instruct us and watch over us (Psalm 32:8), let’s not strike out foolishly on our own.
With the goodness of God to desire our highest welfare, the wisdom of God to plan it, and the power of God to achieve it, what do we lack?
A. W. Tozer
Because God promises to work for our good (Romans 8:28), let’s not fret about the what-if’s.
Because God provides the way for victorious living (1 John 5:4-5), let’s not live in defeat.
Daily living by faith in Christ is what makes the difference between the sickly and the healthy Christian, between the defeated and the victorious saint.
A. W. Pink
This means, my friends, we can live each day guilt-free, grace-imbued, love-wrapped, purpose-filled, worry-free, strength-infused, fully-equipped, highly blessed, and victory-assured—because God Almighty says so!
*We don’t have to earn God’s love and acceptance. Neither do we have to pursue perfection, as if it’s necessary in order to please God or be accepted by him.
Imagine tagging along with the disciples during Christ’s ministry, listening to his teaching, watching his encounters, witnessing his miracles.
One day your group encounters two blind men along the roadside in Capernaum. The sightless men cry out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” Jesus touches their eyes, and instantly the two men can see (Matthew 9:27-31). After a collective gasp, everyone bursts into cheers and joyful laughter.
On a second occasion outside the town of Bethsaida, some people bring another sightless man to Jesus. Perhaps he’s heard what happened to the two blind men of Capernaum, because he too begs Jesus to touch him and heal his blindness. But that’s not what Jesus does. Instead, he spits on the man’s eyes and then puts his hands on him.
Even a second touch is added to restore this man to full sight (Mark 8:22-26). Amidst the celebrating for this miracle you wonder, Why did Jesus spit on this man’s eyes when one touch healed the blind man in Capernaum?
On a third occasion as Jesus and your entourage leave Jericho, you encounter yet another blind man, Bartimaeus. Will Jesus touch him and/or spit on the man’s eyes to heal him? Neither. Jesus simply speaks to the beggar and his sight is restored (Mark 10:46-52). Your bewilderment grows deeper still.
And then while in Jerusalem, Jesus heals a fifth blind man. By now you’ve given up trying to predict what the Master might do. Even so you blink in surprise as Jesus spits on the ground, makes a bit of mud, spreads it on the blind man’s eyes, and instructs him to go wash in the pool of Siloam (John 9:1-9). You catch yourself before throwing your hands up in disbelief as Jesus demonstrates one more way to heal sightless eyes.
You’ve now witnessed five men healed of blindness by four different methods. The evidence speaks for itself:
The Son of God is unpredictable.
The Old Testament provides proof that God the Father also acts in unexpected ways. You may remember when he:
Raised up two humble shepherds to positions of leadership[1]
Used a blind slave to kill thousands of Israel’s archenemies[4]
Allowed another prophet to be swallowed by a big fish[5]
Numerous other examples from scripture could be cited to prove:
Our God is unconventional.
Even today he proves his penchant for the unexpected.
A few weeks ago our daughter H., a school psychologist, relayed to us a story about a student she worked with last year. We’ll call her Emma. After frequent interactions, H. and Emma developed an easy rapport, the girl was making good progress, and H. grew to care deeply for her.
But this fall as school resumed, she learned Emma had moved to Florida. Not wanting the girl to lose momentum, H. called the new school and asked to speak to the psychologist there. She hoped to offer some helpful background about Emma and set the tone for continued progress.
Imagine her surprise when the gentleman who answered the phone turned out to be Andrew __________, a colleague who’d been part of the same master’s program as H. at Florida State University. Out of just twelve students in that program, Andrew just happened to be the one to oversee this little girl who’d won our daughter’s heart. And Andrew assured H. he’d take good care of Emma.
Time and again our God has proven . . .
. . . He is full of surprises.
I for one take great delight in a Heavenly Father who mystifies me by his unpredictability, wows me with his unconventionality, and takes my breath away with his surprises.
How about you?
Please share in the comment section below an example from your own experience of “a wonder that cannot be fathomed.” Let’s . . .
You’re going to be so glad you stopped by today. I’ve prepared a pop quiz for you—a little trivia challenge! But don’t worry–it’s multiple-choice and short.
How many stars do astronomers estimate occupy the universe?
A. 500 trillion
B. 750 quadrillion
C. 1 septillion
What are the objects in the above photograph?
A. Virus microbes
B. Husks
C. Starfish babies
What is the average weight of a cumulous cloud?
A. Over 10,000 pounds
B. Over 100,000 pounds
C. Over 1,000,000 pounds
Number one is a freebie, because an accurate count is impossible. But there are those astronomers who would agree with Answer C—1 septillion. That’s a one with 24 zeroes after it![1]
For the second question the answer is B—husks. In a few select areas of the Western Pacific Ocean, live tiny organisms called Foraminifera. When they die, the tide carries their husks—millions of them–to beaches on the coasts of Japan and Okinawa.[2] Visit those places and you can walk on the stars.
Look close! Can you see a few stars that are still intact?
The answer for #3 is C. Holding up even the largest of cumulous clouds is the air beneath them, which weighs even more.[3]
I’m guessing you know a few amazing trivia facts too. Isn’t it astounding that the body of information about the universe continues to grow, even after centuries of study?
See Endnote #4.
The short sampling of creation’s wonders mentioned above gives us a glimpse of God’s glorious capacities at work: his inventiveness, engineering skill, power and more. But we also see evidence of his magnificence in:
The Bible. No other book matches its wisdom. And when put into practice, it transforms a person’s life.
God’s attributes at work in the world—his love, grace, faithfulness, and mercy—to mention a few.
Miracles—happening around us every day. The problem is we’re so used to them we call them ordinary.[5]
The gracious actions and glowing faces of his saints–miracles in themselves.
Truly, God reveals his glory TO us every day in countless ways.
But perhaps even more astounding: God—in all his magnificence—chooses to reside IN us when we say yes to his Son, Jesus.
Imagine. The fullness of God—all his glorious attributes—within us. And over time, as his Spirit instructs and trains us, we become more and more like Christ—more joyful, hopeful, and contented; less self-centered, dissatisfied, and distressed. Such a glorious reality![6]
And then God chooses to make us channels of his glory, working THROUGH us to impact others.
How?
Every time we choose to be generous instead of selfish, patient instead of peevish, mindful instead of thoughtless, or merciful instead of intolerant, we’re demonstrating the attributes of God to others.
And as we make ourselves available for him to work through us, we may very well become the answer to someone else’s prayer.
O God, thank you for revealing yourself TO us in numerous ways, producing joy in our spirits as we earnestly seek you. I praise you for dwelling IN us, providing all we need (and then some!) for the abundant life Jesus promised. And I thank you for working THROUGH us to positively impact others and give us satisfying purpose. There is no one like you!
[4] The heavens don’t only include the stars, other planets, and moons. Our planet occupies a tiny corner of the universe, and everything in it also tells of the wonders of God.
As far as I know, the apostle Paul was not one to create surprises. It’s possible he arranged a surprise birthday party for Barnabas, or gave a gift-for-no-reason to Timothy, or secured a bouquet of flowers for Lydia in appreciation for her hospitality, but there’s no record of such deeds.
However, when he prayed for the believers at Ephesus, he did include a startling statement:
Note that Paul asked God to give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, not so they would make judicious choices or recognize and follow God’s plan. For me, those two requests would more closely fit what I’d expect. Instead, Paul desired the Ephesians to know God better.
Centuries later, author/pastor A. W. Tozer brilliantly summed up why that would be uppermost in Paul’s mind:
Paul knew from his own experience that developing intimacy with the Heavenly Father would provide more pleasure, meaning, and satisfaction in this life–beyond what earth can offer. In fact, life’s journey can become a wonder-filled treasure hunt as we study the scriptures and look for evidence of God’s glorious Presence all around us, because:
God’s richest gift . . . this side of eternity
is the revelation of himself.
F. Elaine Olsen (1)
As we seek to know God better, we’ll discover delightful facets of his shimmering Personhood—facets such as these:
Grace. Even though he knew every act we’d commit that would break his heart, God the Son willingly died for us anyway. Nothing can separate us from his fierce love.
Goodness. Even when trouble overtakes us there is good, because there is always God—with his empowering strength, his sweet comfort, and his unfathomable peace.
Power to transform. “All we are is by Christ, all we have is from Christ, and all we will be is through Christ” (2). He alone can transform us, creating beauty out of ashes.
Power to produce. What we offer him may be as insignificant as five loaves and two fish, but when we put them in God’s hands, he produces more than we can imagine.
Love. “Every door that opens into a treasury of love shows another door into another treasury beyond. We need not fear that we shall ever come to the end of God’s goodness, or any experience for which he will have no blessing ready” (3).
That’s because our God is a “way-making, promise-keeping, battle-winning, water-walking, storm-stilling, faithful Friend and Savior” (4). What treasure could possibly surpass such magnificence?
I'm Patty, and my husband and I are living with our adult son who has autism and epilepsy. I love sharing lessons learned from life around me, especially life with Aaron.
From the Inside Out 
