The way that God works with me is miraculous, easy to understand and not obvious. Let’s address each of these modes of interaction in reverse order.
First, the part about God’s interaction with me not being obvious. In my early relationship with God, my prayers were structured and impersonal. I was simply following the instructions I received in my religious training without really thinking about my relationship with Heavenly Father. This is what is meant by, religious, doing the same thing, well, religiously. I did so over, and over and over without much thought. I was sleep-walking. I, like many I see now, was a sleeping spiritual “giant.” I’m not sure I’ve attained “giant” status in my output, but I do have that potential just like you.
So, with this structured relationship, the path to a fuller spirituality was not obvious. Our relationship with Heavenly Father can be very personal, as personal as we are willing to have. This realization is discovered rather than read in a book. I can read this statement like you, but until I endeavor to change my relationship from distant to close, God is unrevealed. He must reveal Himself to each of us after we do the work to find Him.
If you believe eternal life is the end game, the greatest of all gifts God can bestow upon His children, you might suppose it is not simply handed out. Though the path was paved by the Savior and salvation is for all, we must all stand before our God judged after we leave this life. Knowing this and feeling this deep within us are two different things and is not obvious.
Secondly, this is not a difficult concept to understand. Though God must be revealed to each of us, He has left an easy to follow instruction book for doing so. This is done simply by prayer, scripture study and service. If you pursue this path while praying for increased truth and wisdom, you will find greater and greater light. If we are God’s children, then like our earthly parents, we have the potential to be like Him. Like God? Wow, I have much to learn, a lifetime, an eternity of learning lies ahead of me.
Finally, the way God works with me is miraculous. For example, paying tithing seems counter-intuitive. Pay money in order to receive a blessing? How does that make sense? This could be a question asked by a farmer. The farmer says, “You want me to put half of my food in the ground to get more?” Yes indeed Mr. Farmer, this is an act of faith and the Law of the Harvest. Plant the seeds first, then the Harvest comes. To me, that is a miracle. To think that the earth can continue to produce our needs and wants in combination with our ingenuity is a miracle of life.
A final comment on when the blessings typically come: Heavenly Father usually blesses me after I’ve gone to the edge of the light. He wants to know how far I’m willing to go and more importantly He wants me to know How far I’m willing to go. This is the path to standing before God with confidence and entering into eternal life.
You can be blessed if you are willing. Keep asking, keep searching, keep praying…He is listening and will answer.
God Bless You and God Bless America!
