Mindy Lee Hopman

He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth,’ (Psalm 46:10, NIV).

Life moves fast these days. Each day I work off of a list to make sure that I get everything finished.  We move quickly from each of our children’s events.  From school, to sports, to church I tend to forget that I am not the one in control of the crazy life.  Each time I land in a new spot I have to remind myself to breathe and remember that the great “I AM” is currently working behind the scenes.

The spiritual life is a gift. It is the gift of the Holy Spirit, who lifts us up into the kingdom of God’s love. Henri Nouwen

In Devotional Classics by Richard J. Foster and James Bryan Smith, I read recently from the works of Henri Nouwen, who suggests that our lives have become “absurd.”  The Latin root of the word absurd is surdus which means “deaf.”

The word “absurd” tugged at my heart-strings.   I don’t want to live an absurd or deaf life.  I don’t believe that is why God placed me here.  Living an absurd life is not my purpose.

Nouwen writes that to have a spiritual life we must lead a life of discipline, so that we learn to listen for God’s voice instead of constantly missing the whisper.  Don’t miss the whisper.

The word “obedient” made me slow down.  The Latin root audire actually means “listening.”

Jesus led a life of obedience.  He spent time listening to God and He created space to hear God’s voice.

That was my prayer last week.  I asked for quietness in the little things to create space to hear God’s voice.

When my sister’s family landed, our home because a chaotic, beautiful mess.  I loved every minute of it, but I did not have the quietness I pictured I would have to create space.  I found His presence in other ways.

I saw it in the way my daughter cared for her baby cousins.
I felt it in the hugs I received from my mom, husband, sister and close friend when they realized I was really surprised.
I understood it when I realized the sacrifice it took for all to gather.

I am a church girl and we are a church family.  On Sunday mornings we go to church.  I love the worship and the fellowship that takes place at church with other believers.  I wanted to be there.  I knew it was a big Sunday for our church, but this Sunday was different for our family.  We only had a short time with family and friends.

In the quietness of Sunday morning I heard God whisper, “Be the church.”

So we gathered in my living room, as we have done in the past, and Dale (my step-father) led us in what we call Home Church. Our ages ranged from under two to 64 years old and our denominations differed, but Christ brought us all together as one.  Dale led us in a message about Paul and how he persecuted believers who stood up for their faith.  We discussed how people in other countries don’t have the freedom to go to church so they have what is called Secret Church. We talked about how Paul became one of the greatest evangelists of all time once God got a hold of his heart.  We prayed for the lost, the persecuted and the Secret Churches around the world, and we sang songs with the children about how much Jesus loves us.  Words cannot describe the beauty of that very moment.

God does not confine church to one building or one sanctuary.
The church is found in Christ, and Christ is in all things.  He was present and it was beautiful.

I encourage your heart today to listen for the whisper, so that you don’t miss the moment in which God wants to bless you.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for encouraging us to be the church.  Although it is important for us to go to church, it is more important for us to be the church.  We honor you when we love others the way you would love them.  Help us to see from your heavenly perspective.  May you make us aware of needs that  you would like for us to meet.  In countries where believers do not have the freedom to go to church, please bring believers together in homes to know you in order to make you known.  You are the light that shines in the darkness.  Thank you for the gift of your presence here on earth.  We are grateful.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen

Basking in His Light

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