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 every day occurrences of your life. Here’s one of my personal God Hunt Sightings:
The Christmas responsibilities in our family divide up this way: David does all the Christmas shopping and orders gifts for friends. I decorate the house and do the holiday baking and meals. David cleans up after Christmas dinner. He also oversees the December calendar and purchases tickets (with extras, so we can invite old or new friends).
This year he purchased tickets to see The Nativity at Goodman Theater in Chicago. I saw an advertisement on television and realized it was a black performance group (Congo Square Theatre Company), but I was not prepared to be next to the only white folk in the audience. However, for me, since we worked for ten years in the inner city of Chicago, and attended an African-American church in the suburbs for six years, it felt like we were coming home. And, guess what, the audience dresses up. No sloppy excuse for casual here. There were heels and furs and fancy clothes, suits and ties. I loved it.
Inspired by Langston Hughes, one of the most important writers and thinkers of the Harlem Renaissance, this performing troupe attempts to celebrate what is best in this black life and culture.
The music moved through traditional Christmas music rendered in jazz and soul began to announce that “Christmas is coming.” With little deviation from the scriptural storyline or even from the exact words of the biblical narrative, the artists danced and swayed across the stage, their voices soaring with the earthy and true-toned musicality of church-experienced musicians.
It felt so good to be in a place where the Gospel was unabashedly presented, where the artists were comfortable enough to let a really good story tell itself. Tears began to well up in my eyes. I wiped them from my cheeks. My granddaughter, Joscelyn, grabbed my hand and squeezed. I looked at David and his eyes were teary. We, as well as many in the audience, were raising their hands.
Then Gabriel began to preach. She quoted the Scripture verbatim and the crowd began to respond. “Yes,” they said. “Preach it.”
It may have been Goodman Theater in the heart of the theatre district in Chicago. But, as far as I was concerned, we had been to church with our dear sisters and brothers. Christmas was not only coming, it had arrived, baby. It was here.
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.
