How does God communicate with human kind? The best way I an answer is that God sends us signs which I will call, “God winks.” That is, times when unexplainable things happen all of a sudden, and everything falls into place. These times when serendipity happens, (sometimes referred to as coincidence) and things can’t be explained. That is a God wink
We Keep Doubting God
Why do we doubt the presence and power of God? It’s difficult, when we are going through hard times, to remember that God has our back. God wants what is best for us, even if we don’t understand the path God is taking us on. When we think of the stories in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) – the one that jumps out at me is the story of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph’s brothers sell him into slavery and he ends up in Egypt. He got a job taking care of Potiphar’s household. Potiphar was a wealthy Egyptian and Joseph soon works his way up to the top. Joseph was unfairly accused of trying to seduce Potiphar’s wife, and he ends up in jail. There, he interprets the dream of the Pharaoh’s butler and years later, ends up interpreting Pharaoh’s nightmares. His interpretation prowess leads him to become second in command of all of Egypt, and by the end of the story, he has saved the entire Ancient Near East from a potentially devastating famine.
God works slowly and with tremendous love. But God is always Right On Time
It took twenty years for Joseph to understand that he had been sold years prior in order for him to one day save all of Egypt and Canaan from starvation. But during that time, he sometimes languished. His faith faltered. He doubted God. He questioned God’s plan for his life. Although it took years, he finally understood why things happened the way they did. Sometimes we gain that understanding of why things happened as they did. And other times, we don’t get to know. Whatever the case, we have to trust that God shows up for us exactly at the right moment in time.
Is it Chance, Kismet or God?
The word “kismet” means ‘fate,’ ’destiny’ or chance. It comes from the Arabic word qisma, which means “portion” or “lot.” The concept is that you are allotted exactly what you need, in the correct measure, at exactly the time you need it. Have you ever heard the expression, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears?” Why is it that things happen that way only when we are ready? Or, are we finally ready and then things happen? That is how God shows up. God’s presence is felt when people show up in our lives, at the right time saying exactly the right thing we need to hear. This seems to happen over and over again. And yet, we still doubt that God will do this for us. It usually takes a long time for us to see God’s plan unfolding in our lives. It is only when we look back that we understand why and how things happened the way they did.
The Lamplighters of London
In England, at dusk, the few remaining lamplighters come out to light the gas lamps that still adorn the streets of London. If you look out at dusk, you cannot see the silhouette of the man lighting the gas flames, but if you wait long enough, you can see the path that he has taken. You may not be able to see him while he’s lighting, but you can see the proof that he was there. The light shows the path he was on, and it shines brightly in the night.
With this information, how can you still continue to doubt that God has been with you all along? God is winking at you – sending evidence and signs that we sometimes don’t even recognize. My spiritual advisor is sure that God gets tired of having to give us constant reassurance. Especially when we continue to doubt. If you’re still reading this – it’s your sign.
Yes God is paying attention to you and your life.
God is going to show up for you at exactly the right time with the right experience you need.
God works with great love and exasperatingly slow, but is always right on time.
Keep the faith – God has your back. And God is winking at you – sometimes so subtly that it is hard to discern. But it’s there. God has your back. And until we meet again, may you be blessed on your spiritual journey!
Other blog articles on faith:
http://rabbicosnowsky.com/struggling-with-faith-and-belief/
http://rabbicosnowsky.com/finding-faith-when-the-future-is-so-uncertain/