When God Shows Up

The phrase when God shows up implies God is not always present. However we know that is not true by the very fact of His attribute of Omnipresent which means God is in all places at all times.   It’s hard for our mind to even conceive how that can be possible since we are defined by space and time but God is superior to our finite limitations.
 
Psalm 139:7-10,  “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
 
Jeremiah 23:23-24 “Am I only a God nearby,” declares the Lord, “and not a God far away? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.
 
I am fully convinced, as the truth of scripture teaches us, that God is everywhere all the time but when I think of this phrase or implementing it, I am referring to a demonstrative, specific event in which something has happened and people are declaring the glory of God having seen His movement. What is quickly expressed is thanksgiving and praise. God manifested Himself. 
 
We have all experienced those “God Winks” as used by Squire D. Rushnell the writing of his multiple books with the phrase “God Winks” in the title.  In a promotional lead for When God Winks, it was noted, that “Squire Rushnell teaches you how to use the power of “Godwinks”—divine coincidences—to seize certainty in uncertain times, and enrich your career and relationships.” We all have experienced “GodWinks” at times such as praying for a close parking spot and one immediately opens up.  Or the time(s) your church was having a potluck, you are looking at the food on the table verses the line out the door and quickly summarizing that there is not enough food to go around.  So during the blessing prayer over the food, you are additionally praying a heart felt encouragement to the Lord to s-t-r-e-t-c-h the food so everyone is fed.  And wa – la it happens. There are so many of the every day happenings that we can contribute to God going before us, being involved in our lives and what concerns us. 

But what I am talking about feels a lot bigger.  Do any of you remember at the end of a sermon at church in which an invitation was given which resulted in the front of the church being full of people receiving Christ, rededicating their lives or being called to full time Christian services?  I knew God showed up. I remember being at summer camp of Falls Creek Baptist Camp seeing and being part of large altar calls where hundreds of youth walked the aisles for a commitment to the Lord.  It was a hallelujah time because God showed up!
How about Philip and the Ethiopian in Acts 8: 26-40
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”
30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
    and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
    so he did not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
    Who can speak of his descendants?
    For his life was taken from the earth.”
34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” [37]  38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
God showed up in the Ethiopian’s life.  An angel led Philip to encounter the Ethiopian, sitting in a chariot, reading the book of scripture Isaiah without having real understanding. Philip explained scripture and led the Ethiopian to Christ, baptizing him immediately that day.
Those big times of God showing up in our lives are not always salvation related.  I remember our first semester at seminary.  We knew when our money would run out which was the week of Thanksgiving.  I was at work and Darrell was at home with the 5 children, being the “at home worker”, taking classes, teaching homeschool and keeping up the house.  We knew our money was gone.  My mom and dad had sent a gas card so we could get to their house for Thanksgiving but we still had 3 days before we were to leave.  Darrell had surveyed the food supply and counted 5 corn dogs, one for each of our children for lunch that day. Darrell was vacuuming in the back room and was thanking God for providing for our family when he couldn’t provide since he was in school full time.  He knew God was going to “step up” to meet our needs. The kids came running into the room telling him there was someone at the door holding a “whole bunch” of food.  Darrell went to the front door and there was a man from the main office at seminary holding a box full of everything for a Thanksgiving meal.  God showed up that day, knowing the need with prompting the person to meet the need in His perfect timing. 
There are so many scripture passages to encourage us in our faith to believe God is going to “show up” with what we need. 
Peter’s deliverance from prison Acts 12:5–7
The Widow of Nain Luke 7:11–17
Abraham and the ram Genesis 22:13
These are just a few of God’s timely responses to needs, all demonstrating His purpose and provision.
In this beautiful month, in which we are intentional to express our gratitude for His bounty in our lives, there may be some of you that need God to “show up” in a very real way in your life. The Lord’s attribute of faithfulness ensures that He will meet your need.  If I can be of any assistance in supporting you in prayer, please let me know.
Blessings,
Karen