I must admit that I’m not a big Bible reader. I struggle with the discipline and envy those who do read scripture regularly. We all live such busy lives and have multiple distractions. I have always been a huge procrastinator - many a past University paper was emailed at 23.59 and more seconds that I care to admit to.
However, I relish the amazing-ness of God and how in all aspects of my life he reaches out to me and speaks to me in various ways that are not through his Word.
This week, I’m going to share 5 separate popular music songs that could be used as worship songs instead, and talk about how sometimes God reaches out and pokes us when we least expect it!
Several years ago I was going through some painful acceptance in my life and I had asked a good friend to pray with me in the Church Centre.
We talked for a few minutes, describing my pain, and he advised we concentrate on an unresolved painful moment in my life and ask Jesus to come into the situation and help me come to terms with it. Normally I have very positive responses to prayer, whether in Church or with friends in Pastorate or just praying on my own. However, for some reason, I felt nothing, no sense of the presence of God, no little voice in my conscience guiding me towards his love, not even a quiet realisation that I would sometimes get.
I was feeling quite frustrated with God, and to be truthful, a little annoyed. Here I was opening up to God, asking for his help and for once I was not receiving help back. After about 90 minutes we prayed our last prayer of thanks to God for listening and for further guidance in my struggles.
I climbed into my car, started it and this came out of the radio:
YouTube video “Reach out, I’ll be there” [3 mins]
The opening lines just “hit me smack in the face”. Here I was, doubting God, doubting if he had heard me in my prayers. And in song, in a mere moment in time, I felt him reassure me that I was not all alone and he had heard me. I knew then that I could continue praying upon this pain and that God would be there to love and shelter me and always see me through.
The ironic thing is that Jesus promises us this:
“and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 [NIV]
Looking for God can be difficult; making time for God can sometimes feel impossible. But God knows this and you should never feel guilty for thinking you are not doing enough. God will find a way to reach out to you, all you have to do is accept this and let Him do what he does best, show you ways beyond all knowledge of how much he loves you.
Thank you God for showing me that you are with me every moment of my day. Thank you for reminding me that you care and I pray that I continue to look for you in every instance of the day.
Steve Fogo
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