Volume 142: Rest in Aware
Today's sermon at church was titled, "Not Aware."
The Pastor spoke on Genesis 28:10-22 about Jacob running from his brother, laying down on a rock, and having a dream. When Jacob woke up, he said "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it."
We learned about how in Christianity, we have a beautiful dichotomy of a God who is transcendent (above and beyond creation) yet also immanent (intimately engaged IN His creation). And this is seen in moments like this story with Jacob - where God tangibly met with Him in a dream.
But here's the thing...
This morning, the Lord was at church and I did in fact, without a doubt, know it.
Because right there, next to me, was my sister and her husband, Rory.
My sister! 14 years ago, it wouldn't have been a big deal that she was at church...
Actually, it was a normal sight! She had gotten really involved in youth group in High School, long before I ever gave in. When she graduated and moved away, she had even asked our youth leader, Mike, to look after me (something he shared with me just recently).
But once she got to college, she began to walk away from her faith more and more. To the point where it's always a source of tension if I ever bring it up.
What happened to her pursuit of Jesus? Where did it go wrong? How did she go from the one whom introduced me to youth group to the one who is hardest to talk about Jesus with?
It's always been a sad thing for me to wrap my head around, so it's become one of my most frequent prayer requests.
Praying that her heart would be stirred! That her eyes would be reopened! That her marriage could be centered on Christ! That her girls would know who Jesus is!
Ultimately, just that her spark from High School could be relit!
And in some round about way, my prayers are being answered!
In the most beautiful of ways!
On Friday, I was asking my sister about spending the night at her house Saturday. She casually responded, "Yes, and we have been going to church because the girls love going to Sunday School."
Despite the fireworks and screams of praise blasting off in my head, I kept it cool and responded that I would love to go with them.
The girls! A 3 year old and a 4 year old!
Our big God, the creator of the Universe... Yet, so intimate that He cares enough to work through two young kids that simply love doing arts and crafts and playing with dollhouses...
This morning, we all woke up, ate breakfast, put on our church clothes and headed to church. I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to/tried to invite my family to church and have failed. Yet, today, it wasn't my idea at all. It was Blakely and Teagan's.
And while they were downstairs making a magnifying glass, I sat upstairs in the church service with Rory and Madison listening to a sermon called, "Not Aware."
But, I was aware. God is moving!
Sure, they didn't sing the songs.
They didn't open the Bible to read the Scripture.
They wanted to ditch early to grab the girls and beat traffic.
But, they were there!
Greeted by smiling faces!
Hearing about Christian community in the offering of small groups!
Sitting still, slowing down!
I don't know what they thought of the sermon or worship. And I don't know if they are going to commit their lives to Christ at a church service at Grace Church.
All I know is that the Holy Spirit moves in a moment. A second! He is able and willing and I am grateful that God is drawing Madison, Rory, Blakely and Teagan to himself!
As the bridge in one of my favorite songs this summer, A Forgiving God, states:
You never left His heart, He's always thinking of you.
He'll come running out to meet you and throw His arms around you.
He's a forgiving God."
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