Refiner’s Fire . . .

God continues to reveal Himself in nature and through human beings. The nature of a living God is that He shows up in the paths of our living to affirm His presence and to reveal His purpose. Our recognition of His presence is one of our challenges. Frequently we become too busy to pay attention to God’s presence in our lives. We are chasing the squeaky wheels while neglecting the source of our lives.

What can one do if this is happening to you? Block out time to spend with God. Your time is His anyway. Give him due respect for His goodness and provision in your life. Express gratitude for all things you can attribute to him. Do this for yourself outside your church attendance. Don’t let church attendance become the sum total of your relationship with God. If you do, there is a problem on the horizon in your spiritual life just waiting to reveal itself.

I can’t think of a more satisfying thought than the hope God gives me. The world is suffering from a deplorable lack of hope. Not only that, but where hope can be placed without disappointment. God can be trusted. He will not disappoint us. Even when tragedy strikes our lives, God is for us and with us. We may ask the ultimate selfish question, “Why did God let this happen?” With our eyes only on ourselves, we may seek to distance God in order to view the world as only from our point of view. In God’s view of our lives, we fit into a larger purpose.

Solomon reminded us of this when he was granted whatever he wanted from God and he asked for God’s wisdom for God’s people. Even a king saw his role fitting inside a bigger one. That of course, is where we started, with God revealing Himself and His purpose to humanity. In the midst of living, spend time with the author of hope and the one who seeks our company.

Dr. Stanley Spence