HOW WELL HAVE I LOOKED

HOW WELL HAVE I LOOKED
Wednesday, October 14, 2020 by TRINA BRESSER MATOUS

PLEASE WELCOME

TRINA BESSER MATOUS

DEVOTIONAL WEDNESDAY

Where was the empty cake tin? It had been out for the party my husband and I hosted over the weekend. Now I couldn’t find it. It wasn’t where it was supposed to be, nor was it in the basement where I’d put it after it was filled. I’d already looked for it several times. I reasoned it would eventually show up and stopped looking. Now I was getting frustrated. It couldn’t have just disappeared!

One more time I looked where it was supposed to be and there it was! Obscured by items in front of it, the real issue was that I had not properly looked where I knew the tin should be. As I pulled the tin out, a thought popped in my mind. How many times had I missed seeing God because I just had not looked well enough or I had let other things obscure my vision? I’d like to respond, “None” to the question, but the truth is this has happened more than once.

Sometimes my prayers are answered, but I miss the answer because I’m too focused on how I want the prayer answered. In those instances, I’m not looking well enough for how God is choosing to respond.

Other times I fail to see God at work in my life because I allow things like complaining, anger, and unforgiveness to become obstacles. I can’t see past these things that can consume me and in the process fail to appreciate how God is working and what He is up to. I miss the opportunities He gives me. Only when I finally recognize the obstacle I’ve placed in front of God am I able to remove it for a clearer vision of God and His work.

Have you missed God at work in and around you because you weren’t looking for Him well enough? Have you allowed attitudes or behaviors to become obstacles that obscure your vision of God? What are ways you can work to remove the obstacles and look more closely for how God is working?

ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN LIVING BIBLE STUDY SERIES

The Christian Living Bible Study Series is designed to assist readers in their relationship with God, help them understand difficult passages, shed new light on familiar verses, and gain an appreciation for statements made within the confines of ancient cultural practices. Through these books, readers not only learn about the life and work of Jesus Christ, but also personally experience the love, grace, mercy, and redemption offered by the Father through the sacrifice of His Son. Learning more about the history and purpose of each verse will enable readers to grow in wisdom and knowledge.

ABOUT TRINA BRESSER MATOUS

Trina has a Masters of Arts in Christian Ministry from Ashland Theological Seminary and is a passionate Bible teacher and writer. For over 20 years, she has shared Biblical truths in compelling and memorable ways as a Bible study leader and a member of the Restorative Prayer Team at her church. Her trip through Turkey visiting historic sites including Istanbul, Ephesus, Cappadocia, Haran and Antioch, as well as two trips to Israel’s holy sites bring reality to Trina’s teaching and writing. Additionally, Trina is an avid birder, loves to cook, travel, work in her garden, and knit.