One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. (Acts 1:1-5)
I’ve been thinking about the desire to stand out in a crowd. To be seen and noticed by people, whether it’s our parents, friends, crush, or or the entire world. This week’s verse got me thinking about my desire to be noticed by God.
That’s not too much to ask, is it? To have an angel come visit me personally? To have God speak directly to me like he did with others? To let me know – to communicate directly with me – that I’m His? That I’m on the right path? That I’m doing what He wants with my life?
It doesn’t work like that and sometimes I long for direct intervention from God in a large, hard-to-miss way. I mean, my life would be so much easier if God spoke up in a loud voice and said “Karoline! You are doing what I intended! I’m proud of you! You’re awesome!!”
God doesn’t work that way. He rarely does. God seems to work (usually) in the quiet moments. In the stillness. That’s when he speaks to us. That’s when he touches our hearts.
It’s in that stillness that God lets me know that I’m His. And he is mine.
I’m learning that it’s ok for God to whisper it in my heart instead of shouting it from the rooftops. What a blessing I have received.
God, thank you for touching my heart and helping me learn that the moments of silence with you are all I need to keep me going. With your love and grace all things are possible. Even teaching this old diva how to be still and listen to you. Amen.