did you see the star this morning?

where do you find God? Where do you see Him, feel Him? Wherever that place is, go there--often!

(photo credit top and middle Sylke Boyd bottom Diane Baum)

This morning when I let my dogs out, I saw the last star of early dawn there in the eastern sky. As I warmed my arms up against the chill, I was inspired by that star and thought about the Wise Men of old, who also followed a star, only to find a Savior!

Unfortunately in today's world, people don't follow a star looking for Hope. Instead they turn to drugs, alcohol, expensive gadgets, a form of technology that can speak to them and tell them anything they wish to know. They follow celebrities, whose own paths are often illuminated by the very things I have just told you: sex, drugs, alcohol, vanity photo sessions and more. If you were to ask many of them, "what do you think it will take for our world to become peace-filled?" many wouldn't have a clue as to how to begin!

In our quest to be heard, we have turned away from the One who is always listening! "Be still and know that I am God!" "Be still" can also mean, "stop and listen!" Listen for God in all of the small things. He is not found in the bottom of a drug syringe or an alcohol bottle, He is not found on some device that can give you answers to most anything you need to know (I had to use an encyclopedia once upon a time to do that!) He is found in the quiet stillness of our hearts!

"Be still...and know that I am God!"

Want to understand why it seems you are up against an adversity with no seeming way out? Maybe it's because, like a rabbit stalked by an eagle, to "be still" is better than trying to outrun an enemy. "Be still...listen!" Our hearts are racing in fear, but God is not all about fear. He removes fear, casts it out and instills pure love instead. Our problem today is that we are so filled with distractions that we cannot hear God within us.

Jesus went often to the mountains to pray. Where is YOUR "mountain?" For me, it is in a quiet park, a small grove of trees, within the pages of a favorite book read on a quiet afternoon. Jesus is found in the mundane also: washing dishes. Mowing a lawn. Clearing a garden. If you listen, you will hear Him speak to you. There will be signs, coincidences as you may call them, that show you, He really is listening!

Are you?

Put away your techie toys! Put away that bottle of choice! Put away anything that takes you away from God. Like the Wise Men of old, seek Him always...look for that star that tells you, "I am here!"
Because...He is! Emmanuel, "God is with us!"