Have you ever gone on a God Hunt? A God Hunt begins when you teach yourself to look for God’s hand at work in the everyday occurrences of your life. Here’s one of my personal God Hunt Sightings:
In the morning, when I remind myself that my life goes better when I become God’s co-collaborator in creating beautifully lived days, I consequently compile lists of ways I see His help. Tonight is a little weekly prayer meeting that a small group from our church is trying to launch. The pastor called yesterday to ask whether I would substitute in leading the prayer time since the gal who has been doing so will not be in attendance.
Our pastor’s wife is in India, about two days into a 12-day journey. “Are you planning on dinner tonight?” I asked, thinking of what life must be like for him moving four kids and three dogs (two of which are Cocker Spaniel puppies) through day schedules. “Yeah,” he said. “I’ll get an e-mail out so everyone is on the same page.” I note as I write this that it is 3:33 p.m. per my computer clock and nothing has come through.
So to be decent and caring and compassionate, I should contribute to this meal that is supposed to be happening (about which we have not yet received notification).
Then it occurred to me that in the stocking of my new refrigerator this morning (after tossing 2/3 of the contents when the motor died and the repairman came two days later to inform me of its permanent demise) that I had everything I needed to make a broccoli salad and baked potatoes with do-it-yourself toppings for a small crowd.
I have now finished writing five blogs and am on my way home to wash potatoes, pop them into tin foil, and stick them into the over for a baking hour. I have butter, a new 12-oz container of sour cream, grated cheese that survived a short exile on our kitchen counter, chives still fresh in the garden. I picked up a head of broccoli, not knowing that I would make it into a fresh salad—and I have sliced almonds, canned pineapple and dried cranberries. I also salvaged the Italian dressing from the dying-refrigerator incident, which is my traditional choice to dress this broccoli recipe.
And I will simply take one of the prayers out of the Book of Common Prayer and lead the group through a meditative exercise. Everything I need to help tonight is right where it should be so that I can help the crew, the pastor’s family and our small group, and to substitute for the leader who is not able to be in attendance.
When this happens, particularly after I have taken time to remind myself that I am a collaborator with God in the creation of the days of my life (we are co-authors in the existence that is Karen Mains), then I see, clearly and unshakably, that I am surrounded by His interactive, participatory love and care.
This is an unmovable conviction for me. The evidence is weighty. I am utterly convinced.
I spy God!
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Award-winning author Karen Mains has long had an interest in spiritual formation and the obedient Christian walk. She has written about the God Hunt in her book by the same name, The God Hunt: The Delightful Chase and the Wonder of Being Found. A hardback copy can be ordered from Mainstay Ministries for $10.00 plus $4.95 shipping and handling. Contact Karen at info@mainstayministries.org and she will be happy to autograph a copy for you.
Karen continues to write content for her Christian blog, “Thoughts-by-Karen-Mains.” In so doing, she desires to touch the lives of Christian women and men and help them find ways to walk closer with the Lord Jesus Christ. In addition, through silent retreats, spiritual teaching, women’s retreats, Christian vacation opportunities, and other ministry activities, Karen helps each Christian woman and man receive vital spiritual food.
Through her Hungry Souls ministry, Karen serves as a spiritual coach to many Christian women and men, and teaches a mentor-writing class. And, through the Global Bag Project, she is working to develop a network of African women who sew exquisite cloth reusable shopping bags, Africa bags. This micro-finance women opportunity helps provide a much-needed sustainable income for struggling African families. For more information on this critically important project, please click here.
For decades, Karen and her husband, David, have served God through religious communications—radio, television, and print publication. They are the co-authors of the Kingdom Tales Trilogy: Tales of the Kingdom, Tales of the Resistance, and Tales of the Restoration. To find many valuable resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries main website, please click here.
Likewise, pastors will find special resources to help them prepare effective, life-transforming Sunday sermons by visiting David Mains’ website by clicking here.
