Can you make space for God in your life?

 Whilst we were gathered as church this week, we were worshipping God, and appreciating the fact that we are children of God and that He has prepared room for us in His kingdom, even in His house. I was struck by a thought; As well as feeling incredibly grateful that God, the Almighty would consider me part of His family, and would even go as far as planning and preparing a place for me in His home, I was also inspired by the idea that this goes both ways. 

If God has prepared a place for me and welcomed me into His family, then do I do the same? Do I make space for God in my life? Do you?

If you or I are really serious about following God, does it show? 

If we are really honest with ourselves , do we make room for God at; home, work, school, the local high street? 

If we REALLY believe that Jesus is who he says he is, and that God is who Jesus shows Him to be, then it has to be more than a decision or mindset. As we recognise we are His children, this should effect how we go about our daily lives. If God is our Father, surely it is our responsibility and even duty to make room for Him in our lives just as he does for us.

The question is, how do we practically do that?

I think it is in the everyday routines and moments that we can make space for God and cause Him to be known or hidden. 

Here are some questions and thoughts i have been considering; 

• Does your daily routine take into account that you have a relationship with God? 

Being a wife, Mum and dog owner I have to keep in mind these relationships in my everyday life as I am responsible for how healthy these relationships are. The decisions I make, the time I spend doing things and the wants and needs of those I live with have to feature in my everyday life otherwise family will suffer. Same goes for having a relationship with God. If I am His child, do I spend time with Him? Or even consider Him as I make decisions, as I work or rest? Do I bother to read the Bible or take time pray and consider what God might want from me? Is there space for God in my routine or do I just spend a bit of time thinking about Him when I have the time, or when I am not too tired? (Because let’s be honest, we can all be too busy and tired at times). Is God a priority in life? If not, should He be? Is there something that can change in the everyday that can mean the relationship with Him is prioritised? 

Jesus made a point of seeking out God whilst he walked the Earth, he set aside time for Him, and we see how clamoured he was by people at times. Yet he showed us the importance of prioritising a relationship with God.

• How about the communications we have with people? 

It is not all about what we do or don’t do in life, but also how we communicate with others. I know I am pretty rubbish at email, I don’t really like email and can probably come across a bit short or cross because I am trying to get it over and done with quick. Yet, if I consider God, I would be making more effort and taking a bit more consideration in how things are put across. This goes the same for any way that we communicate whether it is verbally, physically or in writing.

Proverbs 15: 28;

The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words

• How do you connect with other believers? 

Hebrews 10: 24 - 25

Let us consider how to stir one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Here we are instructed to look out for one another and meet together. Do you intentionally connect with other believers to encourage and share what God is doing in your life, to learn more, to pray? It is not just about turning up at an event like it is some kind of attendance mark, but about being meaningfully engaged in a community of believers. It doesn’t mean we all have to preach or lead, or pray out loud, but do you consider how you might help the running of an event, or how to support or encourage someone else? Sometimes it is the washing or cleaning up, or a kind word that makes a difference to someone else. You are a child of God, and as well as having a lot to learn, you also have a lot to give as you have His character within you. God wants to use you to encourage others, He wants us all not to just turn up, but to be connected and participating in His family, not just one day a week but everyday. It inspires me that the disciples in Acts were in and out of each others homes and meeting together daily! What a community that must have been! Do you make space for other believers in your everyday? We are so privileged that we have technology that can connect us in an instant to other people; do you make use of it? We can send a text, ring someone or even knock on their door. Do you make the effort to keep in touch? This is what making space for God in your life can look like. 

God wants us to intentionally make time and space for each other, and sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to (just like in a family!) but that’s ok. Our time on this Earth, amongst other believers, is our practice ground for when we enter into the place God has prepared a place for us. Making space for God in our lives often has to include other people!

So, is there anything you need to change to make space for God in your life?

I know I need to consider how my evenings are spent. It is not that I do anything bad at those times, or am particularly lazy or sucked into the TV for hours, but I notice that it is a time that I can usually get to do something. It is a point in the day that I could make some space for God. Probably not every night, but I know I can set aside some time during the week of an evening. So, what should I do? Well here are a few ideas that will likely work for me; spending an hour or so reading a faith-based book, praying for my town/family/others; meeting up with and encouraging other faith-filled friends. Not an outrageous awe-inspiring list perhaps, but a practical way that I can implement a bit more space for God in my life. 

Is there some way that you could make space in your life for God, just as He has made space in His life for you? 

Shaky Servant

 

The faith of Abraham’s servant is quite astounding. He is faithful to Abraham, and totally respects the faith Abraham has, acknowledging something significant about ‘the God of my master Abraham’. 

Although, at the beginning of Genesis chapter 24 the servant seems overwhelmed by the task his master is giving him, the servant has trust enough in Abraham and God to do as Abraham asks. 

The servant even prays a bit of an outrageous prayer (ever done that?!). Then he sits there, I believe, in awe-struck silence, as his prayer is answered straight away right in front of his eyes. 

We can see from the text that he was clearly stunned, he and questioned whether it was really that easy the task he had been sent on. He knew it shouldn’t be. He had started the journey with many questions and concerns. Yet he still stepped out in nervous faith, more carried along by the faith of Abraham and his obedience to him. It was then that his own faith grew. 

As we read more about the unravelling of this story, the servant honestly retells the events to those listening, and they acknowledge, “the thing has come from the Lord”. 

As the servant sees that God indeed is with him, he worships, he recognises that it’s not anything of his own self that deserves this situation to work out as it has. He knows he has been sent by a God-filled man, and he humbly continues with his mission having seen what God has already achieved through his obedience. 

I love this story because I see the humility of this servant whose name isn’t even mentioned.  He doesn’t know if he really believes in this God, as he refers to Him as, ‘the God of my master Abraham’. The servant is obedient even though the task set before him stretches him and demands something unusual. His obedience to the faith-filled Abraham is ultimately what leads him to begin to understand that there really is a God, and that this God is significant. This God makes things happen, even those things that seem ridiculous, this God is present, this God listens, this God fulfils His purposes, this God is awesome and is worthy of worship. 

Yet, the servant would not have grown in faith in this way unless Abraham had challenged him to go on this journey. The servant had seen Abraham make decisions in faith, but had not had to do it on his own before. Abraham sent him, and look at the increase of faith this produced in that man, and the blessing it brought to Abraham’s family. 

Are you willing to be sent on a faith journey? 

Is there someone who’s faith you admire that is setting a challenge for you to move and grow in faith? If so, be obedient, take the risk - what’s the worse that can happen? 

When you step out in faith, it is terrifying, it is different, and people may think you’re a bit crazy, but be ready, like the servant, to pray outrageous prayers and see outrageous answers. It won’t just change your life, but the lives those around you too. The task of Abraham's servant seemed ridiculous really, yet he trusted in the faith of his master, someone who had seen God working in so many ways in his life, the servant took stock of the success and faith of this man, and realised that eventhough he did not share the faith of Abraham, he could trust that Abraham knew what he was asking of him and expecting of God. So, the servant stepped froward with trepidation. He by no means was certain of success, or of what would happen, but he had confidence in Abraham, even if he didn't have the same confidence in God yet. 

Are you willing to go like Abraham’s servant was? It is ok to have questions, it’s ok to not be sure, it’s ok to be nervous and excited. It’s great to pray and trust. So, are you willing to take the first shaky steps into a new future as you trust in the faith of others when they call you to step out?

Where do you meet with God?

We are so privileged to be able to talk to God wherever we are, whenever we want. It wasn’t always this way. 

Here is an extract from the book of Exodus:

*7*Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, far off from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting, which was outside the camp. *8*Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people would rise up, and each would stand at his tent door, and watch Moses until he had gone into the tent. *9*When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses. *10*And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door. *11*Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.  

Exodus 33:7-11

These verses clearly show that anyone could go and seek God, everyone had access, but they had to go out of their way to a specific place to meet with Him. There is also a clear difference to anyone going to the tent of meeting and Moses. Everyone had access to the meeting place, but something special happened when it was Moses. Moses had a unique relationship with God and experienced God speaking to him as to a friend.

When we speak to our friends, we involve them in the details of our lives, we have fun together, share thoughts and dreams. Do you do that with God? Or is it more of a one-way communication?  

Do you treat God as a friend when you speak to Him? Are you good at waiting to hear what God has to say?

When Moses met with God, they spoke as friends. What an intimate, special connection! You have the capability to have the same, because of Jesus. When you give your life to God through Jesus, you have special access to meet with God wherever you are. 

Moses had to go to the tent or up a mountain to meet with God, but you can meet God right here and now, so really, you have it better! 

You can enter into God’s presence and speak to God as a friend, do you?

Are you grieving God?

Going through Genesis, we firstly see the joy and wonder of creation, and the imagination, purity and delight of God in what He has made, but soon it all goes wrong….

Why does it go wrong?

Well, pretty much because mankind want to do things their way. Adam and Eve were tempted, and then the initial mistrust in God then leads into sin, depravity and destruction as we through the synopsis of chapter 5. Then we hit chapter 6, and the sad reality; 

‘The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. *6*And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.’

Genesis 6:5-6

God allowed, and still allows, humans to make up their own minds, to have opinions and choices, but what does getting our own way lead to? If we take Adam and Eve as an example, and consider the reality of our own lives, we can see that doubting God and His goodness leads to thinking we know better and not doing as He wants. This can commence the rapid descent into sin, just like it did for Adam and Eve.

Without challenging the doubt of God, and remembering who God really is did not end well for the first humans in existence, for the generations that followed them it ended up with; murder, boasting, polygamy, unhealthy relationships and further distance put between God and His own creation. The same can happen for you, in your life, for your descendants. 

What would God see if He looked at you life today? 

You have a choice. You get to decide whether you live a life faithful to God or not. 

I am really struck by the last 5 words of verse 6, that the sin on the Earth, 'grieved him to his heart.’ I want no part of grieving God, do you? 

Do you know why God grieves? Do you realise that only things that are dearly loved are dearly grieved? It is because of God’s enormous love for you that you grieve Him when you do things wrong, and lead your life on a trajectory further and further away from Him. It is not because God hates you that He grieves, but because of the depth of love He has for you - His creation, a person made in His very own image.

Take a moment to consider the immensity of God's love for you, and then reflect on the way your life is going, what direction are you taking? Are you making decisions that are moving towards or away from Him? 

God is 'grieved to the heart'

Going through Genesis, we firstly see the joy and wonder of creation, and the imagination, purity and delight of God in what He has made, and soon it all goes wrong….

Why does it go wrong? Because mankind want to do things their way. Adam and Eve were tempted then the initial sin of mistrust in God leads into depravity and destruction as we can clearly see in the synopsis of chapter 5. Then we hit this bombshell moment in chapter 6; 

‘The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. *6*And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.’

Genesis 6:5-6

Wow! What a contrast to the earlier chapters where things were 'good'. Now, the will and choice of humankind has led to God regretting that he made the whole race! I found that quite hard-hitting when i read it, that God saw the horrible stuff we get up to and felt so sick and sad about it that he felt intense sorrow. Doesn't that just show the incredible love of God?

God allowed, and still allows, humans to make up their own minds, to have opinions and choices, but can you see why God gets so sad about our disobedience or mistrust of Him? When we consider the unfolding reality through the book of Genesis that doubt, temptation and human choice can lead to a rapid descent into sin, why do we still favour our own decisions above God's advice? With Adam and Eve, the initial lack of faith in God, starting to doubt who He is and what He has said ends up with; murder, boasting, polygamy, unhealthy relationships and further distance put between God and His own creation, and that's just in these first few chapters, as you read on you will see lying, rape, incest, homosexuality and much more depravity.  

The very created beings that were intended to replicate something of who God is have gone away, and don’t even see it. No wonder God grieved. 

What would God see if He looked around the Earth today? I am sure He would still see, ‘that the wickedness of man was great’. Not much has changed. mankind still wish to exert their own importance and feel in control by making their own choices. Don't you think, that each time we knowingly do wrong  that God is still grieved ‘to his heart’?

Do you realise that only things that are dearly loved are dearly grieved? 

It is because of God’s enormous love for you that you grieve Him when you do things wrong, not because He hates you or wants to punish you, but because He sees how far you are running away from Him, and how the impact of your choices will effect you and those you care about. 

Today, ask yourself, are you grieving God in the way you are living your life? 

God has done everything He can to demonstrate His love to you, He follows you, He cares and provides for you, not only that, but He also allowed His perfect son, Jesus, to bear the ultimate shame and punishment just so you can experience the depth of His love for you by being free of the guilt of your sin.

Today, you have a chance to put away wickedness, accept forgiveness and live a life knowing you’re loved - are you going to take it? 

Perpetuation of sin

Sin is dangerous. Ignoring God's rebuke is dangerous. It is dangerous for you and the generations that follow. If you're reading this today and know there are things in your life that God doesn't like, make a decision today to get rid of it because it will get hold of you and destroy you, your faith and your family. Don't believe me? Think i'm being over-dramatic or too harsh? Then lets look at the Bible and consider the generations that followed Cain....

*17*Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch. *18*To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech. *19*And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. *20*Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. *21*His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. *22*Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah. 

*23*Lamech said to his wives: 

Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; 

you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say: 

I have killed a man for wounding me, 

a young man for striking me. 

*24* If Cain’s revenge is sevenfold, 

then Lamech’s is seventy-sevenfold.” 

We do not know much about some of the generations that are in-between Cain and Lamech, but look at the perpetuation of sin that occurred in the generations between Cain and Lamech. Considering that they would of known and understood that they are descended from the first ever people on the planet who walked with God, look how far away from God’s perfect plan they wander; Lamech has not one wife but two for a start, this clearly does not reflect God’s design that two become one flesh (- what do 3 become?) Then look at Lamech’s speech, or i would call it a boast; how he murdered someone for injuring him, how he seeks revenge and seems to have a lust for vengeance. 

The generations between Cain and Lamech are not mentioned much beyond their capabilities, they certainly do not mention that any of them have faith in God (maybe they did but it doesn't seem to be as signifciant a part of their life as their accomplishments). Yet we get this snippet about Lamech, which clearly shows the level of degradation humankind had got into. 

It all stemmed from pride. Cain was proud and would not accept instruction, down the line this led to Lamech's pride in murdering someone! can you see how sin gets out of hand?

You may not see your wrongdoing as a big deal. it is. It is a big enough deal to separate you from God (who is supremely holy), and warrant the death of an innocent man who willingly went through torture so you and your descendents could be free from the entanglement of sin. 

Temptation, pride, disappointment, even success can quickly descend into sin. It can overcome you if you do not allow God or His people to correct you. If you choose to go your own way instead of God's then you can see your life, and the lives of those who come after you descend into wickedness. If Cain had listened to God’s warnings, if we listen to God’s warnings instead of doing what we want, how different our lives and the lives of those around us could be. 

So, the question is, what kind of legacy do you want to leave behind you? 

How your descendants turn out could well depend on your obedience to God today. 

If you do well, will you not be accepted?

 Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. *3*In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, *4*and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, *5*but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. *6*The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? *7*If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” 

Genesis 4:2-7

What was Cain’s problem?

Some may know the section of scripture that comes next, but do you notice the indicators in these verses that something is wrong? Clearly, Cain wants to be the best, and be recognised as not just being accepted, but better than his brother. When he is not, he becomes jealous. This leads to disappointment and anger, but not regret or remorse. It seems that Cain’s offering was more about himself than about honouring God. He did it so God would be happy and commend him, instead God challenged and corrected him, yet Cain would not heed the advice. God even warned him that his mindset could lead to sin - so far he had not sinned in this situation, but God told him that if he didn’t sort out his own heart and response then it would lead somewhere he shouldn’t seek to go. The encouragement for Cain was to listen to instruction and learn to manage himself, to learn self-control. 

This is the kind of worship God seeks.

Are you someone that gets jealous of others? That looks around to see if you are better in your own eyes than yours around you? Have you  ever been corrected but been more offended than consider if it’s true or not? 

If so, what do you think God would be saying to you right now?

You could even be doing things for God, worshipping, sacrificing, living a ‘christian’ life, but if you’re doing it all to gain recognition from God or man, then you are in danger just like Cain was. Your heart will become prideful, if it isn’t already, and you need to watch out for the sin that is crouching ready to take you out. 

Listen to God’s advice; ‘If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.’

Watch out for yourself, if you catch yourself comparing yourself to others or being jealous of the gifts of others or their commendation, then take a step back and refocus. It’s an opportunity to consider - are you doing well? Is God getting your best? 

Cain’s gift could not match Abel’s gift in one way, because they had different workloads and responsibility, yet Cain could still of brought the best of what he had rather than be in competition with those around him. Cain could have accepted the rebuke and restored the relationship between himself and his brother and between him and God, yet he allowed his disappointment in himself to turn into self-pity and hatred. 

Be warned! Be aware of your own heart and mind before God and others. The temptation will be there, but are you willing to admit it and ask forgiveness? Are you willing to restore your relationships and heal your heart? Will you watch out over your own heart and reactions? 

If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door.