A few weeks ago I was reading about Jacob’s journey back to his mom’s relatives.
God appears to him in a dream and when Jacob wakes up, he says, “Surely, God is in this place, and I didn’t know it! How awesome is this place!”
I love this passage. Jacob goes to sleep with his head on a rock. He’s not staying at some cute bed and breakfast in Italy. He’s just out in the wilderness with his head on a rock.
Do you ever think, My life is so dull. If only I were someplace exciting. Someplace fun. If only I had a life like …
But for each of us, “God is in this place!” No matter where we live. No matter what our daily life is like. No matter how dreary it is. God is in this place – so how AWESOME it is!
Personal Reflection
1. What does your day look like? What kinds of things do you have planned?
2. Who is God in the midst of your day? Think about some of His attributes and spend some time just praising Him for who He is. Remember the ways He has blessed you in the past and been there for you in difficult times and praise Him for that as well.
3. If you have God in the midst of your day – God who is the King of the Universe, the great I am, the King of all Kings – and He actually wants to spend the day with YOU, are you living in an AWESOME PLACE today??? Spend some time praising Him!!
Scripture Reference: Genesis 28:11-18
Question: What does your day look like today? What is one of your best memories of time spent with God?
Barb, I love this. I never thought about Jacob resting with his head on a rock. As a non-camper it really hit me how guilty I am of always seeking comfort when I am apt to find God in the uncomfortable. Thanks!
That’s funny, I wrote that and didn’t really think too much about his head being on a rock beyond how odd it was, but you bring up another great point – we do more often find God in the uncomfortable. We probably more often NEED God when we allow ourselves to be uncomfortable – I’m thinking of Peter stepping out of the boat to walk on water. When I do things like that, life feels like more of a mess, but I have more opportunities to trust God and get close to Him. Thanks for the additional insight!
So interesting reading this Barb. Just today, God was reminding me of the blessing of “Now”. It’s so easy, for me, to get carried away by plans and dreams (of tomorrow) that my “Now” becomes beyond-dreary. God reminded me that when I dwell on tomorrow too much, i not only reap a massive migraine but i miss out of the gift of “Now”; the joy, peace, presence of God. I also miss out on areas He needs me to focus on. Thanks for sharing this today.
Beyond dreary. I love that, Ngina. It definitely describes how I feel at times. And I love what God reminded you of – dwelling on the gift of now. What a great way to put it. Because there’s always something we can be thankful for in each moment. I wish I could develop that habit. I’ve been trying to just remember to be thankful and it’s helping – it’s a start, anyway.
I know that just to wake up and face my day, I can’t do it without God. There is so much to do. Some days too much to do. I re-new my mind by singing Him praises to music or bible verses as I go through my morning. It is amazing how easy everything becomes. But then………I never really understand how or why, I set Him aside. Just as quickly a trial comes, or a child sins, or I sin, and oops! My balance is off and everything looks 10X harder than it is, and I struggle until I remember…………..”re-new my mind”!! Seek His Will! So I struggle with consistency and carrying God over into every minute detail of my life. THAT is what I strive for! So that looking to the world does not tempt me. Or thinking “I can’t do this” does not make me look to the ways of the world.
On another note, recently I was hit with 2 trials with work. One with not getting paid! The other with missing out on manditory web trainings, because my “mail box” had never been set up. (You’d think I’d figure that out myself after a year of no mail from the state!) Anyhow, normally that would have all sat in the pit of my stomach for days. But God replaced it with words of comfort, I realized He’s already got this. And I wept tears of joy! This will take people days to fix, and may not be resolved easily. But my heart is with God. I’m o.k.! In fact I’m better than o.k. :o) Answered prayers!
You have a lot on your place, Elizabeth. I would have a hard time handling all of it. It’s so good to hear about how you rely on God. I have the same experience where I start out close to Him in the morning and then that starts to fade out if a trial comes up during the day. On an off I’ve been able to recognize when I need to be recharged and go to God – but I haven’t been lately so I’m glad you reminded me! Hope your latest trials sort out!
My best memories of time spent with God are when I’m outside in nature. Whether it’s on vacation or just on a run or bike ride at home, God does some of His best work in me during these moments of my life.
One of the best summers of my life was the summer I was a counselor at a Christian hiking/backpacking camp in the middle of the mountains surrounded by wilderness. It was a great place to experience God and help the kids get closer to God. Plus there were times when it was scary and I got to experience what it was like to really have to depend on God just for survival.
We’ve vacationed a lot in places where we can enjoy nature… Colorado, Hawaii, Missouri, Myrtle Beach, etc. We pick “natural” places on purpose. Not only do we draw closer to God but to each other as well. Sounds like you had some very cool experiences too!
Those sound like my kinds of vacations, Kari. We’ve camped, backpacked, hiked, and skied with our kids since they were little – great times for enjoying each other.
It is pretty awesome to think that the God of the universe wants to spend time with me!
Some of the best times I’ve spend with God are when I’m broken…when I’m simply clinging to Him and letting Him be God. Those moments hurt, but they bring me closer to the heart of God and for that, I am grateful God is present EVERY moment!
I feel the same way, TC – those have been some of my best times, too. Well worth the pain!
Love it, Barb! God is in this place indeed! Love the photo, too.
Thanks, Melanie – it’s a pix of our son Michael on a camping/hiking trip to Arches National Park in southern Utah.
“Surely God is in the place.” A wonderful mindset when I’m doing dishes. :)
Haha, yes, dishes can be dreary.
Being in nature really allows me to relax and reflect on God and His promises. I needed to read this because I have been so busy today that I needed the reminder to slow down and think/reflect on God.
I feel the same way about being outdoors – love it!
I think that most of our life is lived in the mundane and the boring, frankly. And that’s not to say that our lives are really boring necessarily. Just that we need to find the wonder everywhere and understand that fireworks aren’t necessarily around the corner.
I’m glad to hear you say that – I have to agree with you. Much of my discontentment throughout life has been caused by unrealistic expectations – expecting it to be fun and exciting when regular life is often pretty mundane. Thankfulness helps me focus on what God has given me rather than on what I’m missing.