It is easy to get discouraged and even be depressed when we are unaware of God’s improving activity in our world today. Sharing how God is active in our lives and our world can bring immense value to everyone’s life. So, are we consciously benefiting from this richness?
As we interact with each other and with the world around us about the ways and works of God, we can see more clearly what the Eternal One is accomplishing in our day. We can also realize God’s promises of a better life are not just for someday. So, we ask, where is God moving today?
God At Work
The human vessels God is working in and through you and I are never ideal. In this temporal natural life, we will continue to be imperfect people. Our need for God’s grace and mercy in this world of good and evil (productive and destructive) processes will never cease.
This is true for everyone; our family, friends, work cohorts, pastors, and elected officials. The great news is that our imperfections do not impede what God is doing in and through our lives. Unfortunately, we can overlook God’s involvement when we are too focused on each other’s imperfections. To observe God’s activity, we must not be distracted by each other’s failures.
We want to remember that we are all “working out” into our daily life what “God, who is at work in you” is seeking to accomplish. (a) [see endnotes for Scriptures] Remember, God is not restricted by time and space, nor is He hampered by our shortcomings and imperfections. (b) To really see what God is doing in our world, we need to step back and begin to understand so we can see from His perspective.
Consider the miracles God accomplished with imperfect lives. Speaking was difficult for Moses because he was unsure of himself. (c) Samson was a womanizer yet God used him to repel the Philistine overlords. (d) God even called the heathen king of Babylon, “My servant.” (e)
The Scriptural list of imperfect vessels God works through is endless. Each of those listed in the condensed list of “heroes of faith” (f) were full of imperfections, short-comings and failures. God uses unsuitable people when they are willing to step up and follow His inspiring lead.
God uses unsuitable people when they are willing to step up and follow His inspiring lead.
Responsibility to Interact
Our willingness to be involved allows God to work not only in us but through us, in our daily interactions. (g) Everyone can be encouraged when we share and hear how God is at work in our life. Every instrument God uses has flaws, including ministers. We don’t want to miss what God is saying and doing by dismissing His vessels because of their human shortcomings.
During the first national gathering of 
God’s people coming out of Egyptian slavery, to keep God at a distance they asked for a mediator. (h) Later they asked for a king to rule over them and they began to lose their freedoms, (i) eventually falling into full captivity. As we dodge responsibility to be involved and overlook what God is saying and doing, our freedoms tend to erode.
I know we are cautioned to not talk about religion or politics today because these topics usually lead to arguments. Jesus however, reminded us the Kingdom of God is experienced by the interaction of those who communicate about God’s purposes and activity among us. (j) Rather than talk about our different religious beliefs or ‘argue’ over politics, we want to ‘discuss’ what we hear God saying and doing in our lives and in our governments.
Jesus clearly said God’s kingdom is experienced by people who are fruitful. (k) The governing influence of God’s Kingdom reign includes our personal lives and our life as gathered people in families, fellowship, states and nations. However, seeing and hearing what God is saying and doing has little value if we are not involved; just like “faith without works is useless,” as dead. (l)
As we dodge responsibility to be involved and overlook what God is saying and doing, our freedoms tend to erode.
God Is With Us
Following the days of Jesus, people of faith interacted and worshiped God without sacrificial rituals or sacred places. Worship ceased to be focused on earthly locations or special buildings. Gatherings were generally in homes and consisted of open participation. Each shared what they could to encourage one another. (m) Interactions about God’s activity in their lives flowed freely.
People responded to what they sensed God was saying and doing in their lives. First century believers are reported to have influenced their world’s perception of God. (n) Following the life of Jesus, writings for 300 years reported a common phrase among believers: “God is with us!”
While Jesus ascended and went away for a moment of time, his return to baptize (immerse) us in God’s Holy Spirit (o) verifies his promise to never leave or forsake them or us. (p) As people realized God was in their midst, with them, and among them as a spiritual presence, the word and abiding presence of Jesus became a persuading force for improving everyday life.
Yes, God is our Eternal Father, (q) our personal Lord, (r) and to all who yield to His guidance, our reigning King. (s) As God’s anointing presence among us, Jesus is the only real mediator between us and our Eternal Father. (t) God really is in the midst of our interactions as people of faith.
Together, we are “the temple of God,” (u) “the light of the world, a city on a Hill,” (v) “a light to nations,” (w) and God’s dwelling place. (x) God blesses us so we can be a blessing to individuals, groups and nations. What a remarkable gift, to be included in God’s activity in our world!
Life under God’s magnificent guidance provides an amazing freedom to prosper personally, as peoples, and nations. Let’s not ignore God’s guidance as Adam did in the Garden and as the old nation of Israel often did.
Asking God for clarity of vision so we can see from His perspective enables us to be better participants in His Kingdom. As we see from His perspective, we can excel as free people.
God really is in the midst of our interactions as people of faith.
a) Philippians 2:12-13; b) Romans 3:3-4; 9:20-21; c) Exodus 4:10; d) Judges 14-16; e) Jeremiah 27:6; f) Hebrews 11:1-40; g) Luke 24:13-16; Matthew 18:20; h) Deuteronomy 5:1-4; 22-27; i) 1 Samuel 10:18-19; j) Romans 14:7; Luke 17:20-21; Mark 1:15; k) Matthew 21:43; l)James 2:20-26; Matthew 21:28-31; m) Hebrews10:24-25; 1 Corinthians 14:26; n) Acts 17:6; o) Mark 1:8; Acts 1:5; p) Hebrews 13:5-6; Mathew 28:20; q) Matthew 23:9; r) Isaiah 43:11; s) I Corinthians 8:6; 1 Timothy 6:14-16; t) 1Timothy 2:5; u) 1 Corinthians 3:16; v) Matthew 5:14; w) Acts 13:47; x) 2 Corinthians 6:16; Revelations 12:3; 21:3; John 14:1-3
Keith Carroll, “The Relationship Guy”
Relational Gospel Founder
Created To Relate author