I don't remember learning that!
Anna May.25.2003
Have you ever had an epiphany, only to look back on the recent events of your life to find that God had been preparing your heart to be receptive to your newfound knowledge? I have. Boy howdy, have I ever. Here's my latest example:
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such a faith save him? James 2:14
You see, a couple of weeks ago I was having a polite conversation with someone I don't speak with one on one too often. Some how this person and I stumbled on the topic of mission work; summer missions to be exact. I had said that I didn't even apply to go this summer because I didn't feel God calling me. Big mistake...
The person with whom I was conversing politely told me that there are many times when God calls us into a mission project before any opportunities are presented us, but part of our job as Christians is to readily make our time available to God for him to use as he pleases. Talk about a moment of humility! In one seemingly small conversation God completely destroyed my strongest excuse. How dare he! But, as I reflected on the past few months, and all I had experienced, I noticed many situations that began to click together in my mind. God had been preparing for months to humble my heart like he did; far before the spring break trip to Alpine, TX! I have a few journals where I write down some verses, and then I review them later. There among some verses in a journal from last year (long before any of us knew what Salt Shaker was, and before I knew that any of you people even existed) was James 2:14! Amazing. Sometimes I just can't even believe how amazing God is. I know it probably sounds infantile for me to admit that, but it's true. Look at how he reveals himself to us: he uses a few small situations, and a tiny, polite conversation to completely convict my heart. He does this to all of us. It is just tremendous how he times our learning experiences! You see folks, I had been asking God why I didn't feel very close to him, even though I had spent time in his word and in prayer. My answer was clear:
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:17
It really is as useless as a screen door on a submarine. Go figure!
How is God speaking to your heart? Are there just a few too many consequences flowing through your life? Do things seem to fit together and work out "just right"? What does God have to say to you that is so important he will work it into something that seems small and insignificant?
Be still and know that he is God. Draw near to him and hear him speak to your heart.
