Anodyne

On my flight to Minneapolis I sat next to a fascinating gentleman. He is a successful economist who asked if I would be interested in reading his paper on solving our nation’s current economic woes. I read it with interest and afterwards as our conversation turned to things more personal, he shared his story. It was obvious that Walt* lived most of his six plus decades working through much physical pain and challenge.  Forced to take an assortment of medicines and constantly in need of relief I asked him if he had God in his gut (in the context of the conversation that meant did he have the Lord to help him through his stomach issues).  He said “no” but that he did believe there was a higher power. 

Meditation
Isaiah 45:12—I made the earth, and created man on it. It was My hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host.
Psalm 139:13—For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother's womb.
 
So many people believe in “the Man upstairs” but resist accepting He is personally concerned about them.  It is within their scope of reason to conceptualize a Designer but somehow presumptuous or far-fetched to conclude the Designer might have deep personal concern over their condition and fate.  Walt is seeking anodyne.  God sent Anodyne.  I took the opportunity to relate my own personal experience of Him coming into a room with myself and gathered friends to heal my son.  Had the flight been longer I could have shared many more stories of God’s personal involvement.  
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As we deplaned we exchanged business cards and I hope to have made a new friend.  He asked me multiple times to email him.  I pray the man of faithless dying meets the Father of grace and living. Believing there is a higher power is a first step.  But the best step is the faith to agree with King David, “But I trust in You, LORD; I say, ‘You are my God.’ The course of my life is in Your power.” (Psalm 31:14,15a) Hmm.  How incredible the blessing to know God.  

Do you take your faith for granted or do you grant your faith opportunities to proclaim God’s reality?  But it is our privilege to share our stories of God’s special interest—in rescuing us from sin, healing our diseases, and leading us to eternal joyous living! Jesus told us, “Indeed, the hairsof your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows!” (Luke 12:7).  Something to think about . . . in reveration!
 
Inspiration
God is not a hypothesis derived from logical assumptions, but an immediate insight, self-evident as light. He is not something to be sought in the darkness with the light of reason.  He is the light.—Abraham Joshua Heschel
 
*Not his real name
 
©2011 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the "Click here to receive weekly devotionals" box. Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)