Contrary to the common idiom, “The devil is in the details” I believe it is our Dad who is in the details.
The other day I was standing on our back deck. Although we live in a city suburb, at this time of the year the back yard is surrounded with leafy trees and you could imagine yourself in the middle of the BWCA (A 1 million acre “Wilderness” area “Up North” for non-Minnesotan readers)
I was reading about Jacob’s encounter with God at Bethel. I knew Father was reiterating the same promise to me and paused, bowing in worship. As I then looked upwards I saw the cloud formation above. It struck me as the face of God with his long white hair flowing out behind. (Daniel 7:9) The clarity of the profile had faded somewhat by the time I gathered myself and thought of a photo!
Does this mean I am special?
No, I don’t think I am any more special than any other person, but I think I am rather simple – hopefully not naive!
Jesus said, “I praise you Father, Lord off heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children.” (Matt.11:22) and later, “Unless you change and become like little children you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt.18:3)
I have never been much of a philosopher, and am not really a concepts person. I like how Jesus asked simple questions, told real life stories, and just talked about His Abba! Now that is something anyone can imitate!
We’re told that God knows our every thought and action. (Psalm 139) Is this knowledge for knowledge’s sake to be stored as cold facts in the mammoth computer called God’s memory? I don’t think so. I believe this is the sort of knowledge that ‘puffs up” in contrast to the love which “builds up.”( 1 Cor.8:1) ) God who is love and is relationship uses this intimate knowledge of us to build His love relationship with each of His children……enhancing our knowing of Him not just about Him, through His wonderfully unique personal interactions and communications with us.
As some of these thoughts were passing through my mind I suddenly heard a thump behind me. I turned and there on the ground was a stunned little bird lying on the deck! He must have flown into our bedroom window and then plummeted to the ground below. I picked him up, held him in my hand and began to sing to him. After a few minutes he seemed to settle and then took off, only to land a few feet away on the deck surround.
We had a few more moments together,………….and then he was gone!
Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? yet not even one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matt. 10:29-31)
Let Oswald have the last word:
“The things that make God so dear to us are not so much His great big blessings as the tiny things, because they show His amazing intimacy with us.”
May He help you to increasingly connect the dots in your everyday life that spell out His intimate knowledge and love for you, today and always.