Can a simple shift in focus allow us to see God? I believe it can. And if there’s anything 2020 has taught me, it’s that I have to be intentional about realigning my focus.
My middle child is a perfect example of this. Let me explain by going back to several years ago, when we went to see our first 4D movie.
I had no idea what a 4D movie was, but I was about to find out. It was the middle of Christmas break, and my parents had just bought our little family tickets to The Polar Express. In 4D.
Everything appeared to be like a normal 3D movie. The attendant handed us glasses to view the show. We entered a theater that looked similar to most other movie theaters I’d been to. Then, the show started, and my seat jolted. It felt like I was actually on a train. When the waiters danced through the air with hot chocolate, I could smell it. Ice blasted in my face when the train skidded across the frozen lake.
The whole experience was unlike any movie I’d ever been to, but all my youngest son saw was a blur of shapes in front of him. His strong-willed, three-year-old self refused to put on the glasses. So, while he could feel and smell the sensations of the adventure, he couldn’t see it. Not clearly, anyway. He completely missed the visual part of the show.
Do you ever feel as though you’re missing God?
Perhaps you had a strong sense of his presence at the beginning of your relationship, but you hit a wall. Or maybe you’re picking up the pieces of a deferred dream, wondering if you heard God wrong when you chased after it. Maybe you’re in the thick of a personal or a family crisis, and you don’t know how God could be in it. I think no matter how long we’ve been following Jesus, we eventually reach a place where we wonder, “Where is he? Did I miss him? Was that really him at all?”
These questions are what set me on the journey of writing Shift: Changing Our Focus to See the Presence of God. There have been long, dark seasons of my life when I reached for God, but my hands came up empty. I fought against the silence and I cried out to him, wondering why he’d abandoned me. I didn’t understand how I could do all the things the characteristic Christian girl would do, but still be wandering through a wilderness.
As I searched the Scriptures, prayed continually, and thought about you, dear reader, I became convinced that we don’t have to wait until we’re on the other side of the struggle, the wilderness, or the tired monotony of our days to know God. We can know him right here, right now. In the middle of the trouble and the confusion. But how?
What if we altered our perspective? What if, like my son who refused to wear the glasses, we’re using the wrong set of tools? There’s a shift that has to take place. We have to change not only how we view him, but how we look for him.
Friend, I don’t think 2020 has looked anything like any of us thought it would.
But I don’t believe we have to wait for the start of a new year to see God. We can see him right now.
This is why beginning on October 5, 2020, I’m leading a free online Bible study where I will walk you through some of the life-changing truths I learned while writing my book, Shift. This study will last for six weeks. You see, I don’t believe we have to wait for the miracle to see him. But we do have to adjust our perspective.
Sign up here!
| This study will: – Equip you with practical ways to see evidence of God’s hand in everyday life when your prayers aren’t answered in the way you hoped. – Build confidence in God’s love and attributes that propels you forward instead of staying stuck and waiting for him to produce a specific sign or miracle. – Provide assurance that your position in Christ, although hidden, is unwavering, and does not need to be affirmed by visible accolades, likes on social media, rewards or applauseWant to join us? Sign up using the link below: Sign me up! Then, simply purchase a copy of Shift sometime before the study begins. You can do that right here. This study will feature daily discussion and fellowship, weekly challenges, live videos and interviews, and prayer. Hope to see you there! You will receive an invitation to join our private Facebook group the week before the study begins. |
* Part of this post was adapted from the intro of my book, Shift.
* You can find a full list of retailers that carry Shift right here.
