God was SO REAL... 10 years ago

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)

When I was in seminary, I attended a church that had, about 25 years prior to my arrival, been named “outreach church of the year” by some Christian publication for its impact on its community. This was an impressive testimony to God’s activity in this church’s life. It was also 25 years in the past.

A couple of years after I graduated from seminary, I came to realize that all of the personal illustrations I was using in my sermons were from 5-10 years in the past. Those stories were impressive testimonies to God’s activity in my life. They were also 5-10 years in the past.

I bring this up because over the past few months, I feel like I have been having daily experiences of God working in my life. Six months ago, I began spending time reading through the Bible every day and listening to The Bible Recap podcast. Soon I was adding on to that more consistent prayer time with my family, more regular journaling, and now, God has been opening my eyes to what a deeper prayer life looks like. As a result, the number of stories and “God-moments” in my life are increasing, as my passion for God’s presence and His glory increases as well.

My question for you is simple: do you have current stories of God’s activity in your life? If I asked you to tell me about experiences in your life that have shown you His reality, how far back would you have to go? Would you tell me stories from 10 years ago? 20 years ago? 40 years ago? Or could you tell me about how God spoke to you through His Word this week – even this morning? Could you tell me about how He has been transforming your heart, how He is putting sin to death in you, how He is making you more like Jesus? Could you share with me stories of how He is using you to minister to others in meaningful ways, or how others are coming to faith through your witness?

If you have few (or no) current God-stories to share, ask Him to rekindle a deeper relationship with Him! Pursue God by spending time with Him in His Word and in prayer, asking Him to speak to you through His Word and to lead you in your life. Ask Him to open doors for you, that you might have opportunities to serve Him and to love others. Step out in faith, and see what God will do.