‘For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.’ Romans 1:20 (NLT)
‘“Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you. Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you. Let the fish in the sea speak to you. For they all know that my disaster has come from the hand of the Lord . For the life of every living thing is in his hand, and the breath of every human being.’ Job 12:7-10 (NLT)
‘And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,#14:16 Or Comforter, or Encourager, or Counselor. Greek reads Paraclete; also in 14:26. who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.#14:17 Some manuscripts read and is in you. ‘ John 14:16-17 (NLT)
“Mom, can you please pay attention?”
How many times do others tell us to pay attention? It’s something we’ve heard from our teachers, our employers, our parents, our friends, and even our own children. I remember in high school and in college, during lectures, I’d draw or write in the margins of my notebook, sometimes zoning out completely in my own imaginary world of images and poems.
When I was a little girl, I would say to my mom, “Mom, are you listening?” Despite her efforts, she wasn’t always. (Imagine!) Even now, there are days when my children are chattering on and I suddenly realize I can’t remember a single thing they’ve said.
I think many of us can say this about whole days too; sometimes we don’t even remember what happened in the shuffle of life. But if we pay attention, we will notice signs of God at work right where we are. This also means listening to the earth as it speaks and to God as he works through it.
We may find that coincidences are connected to bigger-picture messages and perhaps even lay out a path in front of us. The Spirit truly is on the move.
from Everywhere Holy by Kara Lawler