This journey called life isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be, there will unexpected lows and surprising highs.
And sometimes on this journey we think that things have to be just right for us to do what God has called us to. I have to have money, be married, have the house, the car… and the list goes on.
In my experience I don’t think that’s a requirement for us to do what we’re meant to.
Conditions for great things to happen don’t always have to be working in our favour for them to happen, this is where God shows up and where heaven breaks in!
Just look at Paul and Silas in prison. They weren’t in an ideal scenario, they were put in prison for preaching the gospel. They found themselves in a situation they would have preferred not to be in, but they did something that changed the course of things…
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. (Acts 16:25, 26 NIV)
Paul and Silas were doing what God had called them to, taking the gospel to those who needed to hear it.
In this instance they were put into jail, beaten and chained, things didn’t look good at all. But you know what in the midst of it all they didn’t cry or complain or look for perfect conditions, they did something unexpected, they worshipped. They praised God and lifted him up, created the perfect atmosphere and in the midnight hour God showed up!
Not only were they freed but so were all the prisoners, and you know what not one prisoner escaped, why you may ask well the answer is quite simple, they stayed because they were caught up in the presence, the presence of God.
When we facilitate the presence of God even those around us will want to stay in that place, why because God is there.
You see our adverse conditions can lead someone else coming in contact with the creator of the universe.
I’m learning that the conditions don’t have to be perfect, but the God who inhabits my praise will show up when I open up my mouth and invite him into my space.
So let me encourage you, you may be at a crossroads in your journey, you may be even wondering God I’ve come this far what next? Which way do I turn? Be still, invite His presence in, worship the King and watch out for your midnight!
Until he next time, from the worshipper who happens to be…
Brilliant Donna!
Thanks for your encouragement! Oh, I been watching your ‘Thanksgiving Concert’ in my time of worship. Don’t have the words to say how it has blessed me, even tho I’ve seen it on the night, live too!