The miraculous in the mundane

 Jacob experienced an unusual revealing of God while he slept in the desert (Gen 28). This miraculous vision caused Jacob to understand that the land he had slept on was special, and deserved his attention. Are you able to see the wonders God is showing you in the seemingly mundane moments of your life?

Finding God on the run

 

The Bible often describes its heroes as flawed sinners on a journey toward reconciliation and relationship. For example, Jacob's first encounter with God occurred while he was running away from his brother, who after being cheated by Jacob was now intent on killing him (Gen 28).  After many years of God's presence, Jacob becomes able to face his wrongdoing and his brother. What are you running from?

Abraham's radical obedience

 In Gen 22 Isaac asked his father, Abraham what they were going to sacrifice on the altar they were about to build. Abraham's responded that "...God will provide himself a lamb..." But God had asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, not an animal, on the altar. Did Abraham have faith that God would not actually force him to kill Isaac, thus giving Abraham the willingness to obey? How has your faith helped you obey God? 

Answering in humility

 

Christians often feel we need to answer every critique or question posed about our faith. While Christians are told to "...give an answer..." (1 Pet 3:15) to those ask about our faith, we might do well to remember that being able to relate our personal experience with God and why we believe what we believe is different from being a "know it all" who has all the answers to everything. Are you able to answer in humility?

Life out of chaos

 

God's creation began with a chaotic mass, or void (Gen 1). From this place of confusion God created life and brought a sense of order to sustain that life. In our times of confusion and disorientation, Christians can take comfort that God is still bringing life and the means to sustain that life out of our personal chaos. God not only masters the chaos, but fashions it into something amazing. Let us take heart in times of chaos.

Finding God in His word

 

Psalm 137 provides a glimpse into what Israelites felt when their nation was dismantled and they were taken into captivity. In a time when everything they knew to be true was being undermined and their connections to the God of their fathers was being lost, they held the words and stories sacred. Do you take comfort in God's faithful words in the Bible, or do you read it as legal or scientific document with no special power?

Does your humility outweigh your privilege?

 

Jesus seemed to insult the Syrophenician woman when she asked he heal her daughter (Mark 7). Jesus's response was the way Syrophenicians treated Jewish people. By exposing the possible prejudices, Jesus gave the woman an opportunity to declare herself different. Her humble response was rewarded and her Jesus granted her daughter the healing she needed. How often do you come from a place of privilege?