This is a phrase that seems to roll off the tongue of Christian and Non-Christian alike these days.  We look to the headlines and seem to see an absence of justice, truth, love, and conclude there is also an absence of God.  Could it be that God really hasn’t gone anywhere, but we have withdrawn from Him?
I was having a conversation with a brother in Christ yesterday about how serving, in a lot of cases, has been reduced to simply mailing a check to someone else doing the hands on work of God.  For the record, I’m not condemning the funding of missionaries.  On the contrary, I fully believe in it.  I also believe; however, that when we are saved, we likewise are missionaries, commissioned to do the work of God.

As our conversation continued, we began sharing stories of how we were seeing God actively working in the lives of broken people around us as well as those who were coming to serve them.  As we recalled story after story I found my heart leaping to praise our Lord!  What a blessing it is to be able to see our God alive and at work in so many lives!

It’s not only a blessing but an essential part of our faith and growth in Him!  Jesus spent approximately 3 years showing all of His disciples who He was, that He was alive and at work. Moreover He was compelled again after His resurrection to show them He was alive, well, and at work.  We get excited when we know that our Lord is faithful and present with us.  He is our ever present help in time of need.

God was seen through His son Christ.  For Jesus, Himself, stated, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father”.  I’m no rocket scientist, but If we are now “sons and daughters of God”, should not also our Father be seen as others see us if we are in Him?  Could it be the absence of God not being seen in this world is because we are not submitting to Him and doing His work?

Reflection

Here are some simple ideas to help answer the question where is God?

1.) Hand deliver the check to the ministry/missionaries you support and see how you can take a more active role in serving and praying for them?

2.) Listen to those around you who are hurting and in need.  Ask if you can pray for them.  I’m a little crazy but I even ask soliciting sales people who call me if I can pray for them.  Most of them say yes!

3.) Serve in your community at sporting events and other activities.  This is a great way to get to know those around you and find opportunities to share Christ’s love.

4.) Don’t be afraid to get dirty and hurt.  Serving others means you will subjected to their messes and experience their hurts with them.  You may be more tired, frustrated, and grieved than ever before; however, wasn’t our Lord tired, frustrated and grieved?  When we empty ourselves for those around us, we are also rewarded with God’s presence and seeing his hand at work.

I leave you with this question:  Are there places you could serve so God could be more seen in your sphere of influence.  If so, Go Live the Truth today and serve!

Prayer

Gracious God, help us to take an active role in the work you have commissioned us to. Give us self awareness to see how you’ve wired us for ministry, that we may be most effective for you. Let us not be content with just mailing a check, but instead joyfully mail the check and look for other ways to be engaged. Thank you Father for hearing us and answering according to Your perfect will. Amen!

#whereisgod, #servegod, #livetruth