Discovering God

Discovering God in every part of life is probably the most challenging and exciting adventure of all.
Where is He in dark storms?
Where is He in confusion?
Where is He in pain?
Where is He in failure?
Where is He in His silence?

Yet I have found He is just as eager to participate in life with us, to communicate with us in all these places as He is in our successes, delights and victories.

He stilled the storm for His disciples - it only took one Word.
He creates order from every confusion if we come to Him in humility.
He comforts and heals in our pain - both emotional and physical.
He enlightens us with fresh revelation in our failures as we trust Him.
And in His silence He communicates either our sin and refusal to listen to Him, reminds us of past instructions we still need to complete or expresses His desire to strengthen and stretch our faith as we wait so that we are strong and ready for the future.
There is nowhere to go to avoid Him.
Thank God for that!

Christchurch Earthquake

Last week a huge earthquake hit Christchurch - the greatest disaster in our nation New Zealand - and very few people are left unaffected in some way. Auckland where I live is at the opposite end of the country. My closest friend's youngest brother's wife's sister is missing - now presumed dead. She was the mother of two small children. It may seem like a distant relationship but this is just one of many, many similar connections. And where is God?

What a huge question to ask in such trauma, pain, loss and grief. And how dare one ask? But we must. For God is always present, always powerful and always loving. People can surmise. Perhaps we will never know why He has allowed this catastrophe to occur. But He has? And He is still always present, always powerful and always loving.

Lord we need more love, more grace, deep healing and Your Spirit of goodwill, of generosity, of loving kindness to permeate even the hardest hearts now at this time. Use even this for Your glory.