I believe that it's healthy for a person to challenge and even question their faith from time to time. As we seek answers to tough questions and attempt to discover who God is for us. However as we grow Spiritually and Theologically we must become more attentive to God's interaction among us.In short we must notice and except the sings that God uses all around us to interact daily with us.
Our scripture for focus today comes from Exodus 33: 18-23
Moses said to the Lord, ‘See, you have said to me, “Bring up this people”; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, “I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.” 13Now if I have found favor in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.’ 14He said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’ 15And he said to him, ‘If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here. 16For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth.’
17 The Lord said to Moses, ‘I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.’ 18Moses said, ‘Show me your glory, I pray.’ 19And he said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, “The Lord”; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20But’, he said, ‘you cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live.’ 21And the Lord continued, ‘See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; 22and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; 23then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen.’
In the text Moses has talked to God, listened to God, been instructed by and followed the Spirit of God. Despite all of his interaction with the Divine, Moses is still looking for more sings of God's presence, support and favor. For me the fact that Moses is currently in conversation with God and still desires more is hard to grasp at first glance. Then I think about Christians today, who have felt the presence of God, been led by the Spirit and even have testified to miracles in their lives. But each and every day continue to search for more signs looking for more proof of God's presence in their lives.
To make it more personal the text is relevant to me because it reminds that God is active in my life daily walking, talking and leading me by the Spirit. My problem is that at times I'm like Moses and so focused on looking for the signs I want to see or think should be revealed that I miss all of the other signs all around me. I confess that I get to busy, or focused and neglect to pay attention to the signs that surround my life.
If you are anything like me then you will admit also that when we sometimes go through life missing the signs. This week take time out to focus on how God is interacting with you, one another, and our world. Take some time out to listen to the birds, to notice the leaves, and enjoy the Sun. This week ask yourself where do you see signs of God's ever-active presence even in our world today. Until tomorrow, Love Pastor J
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