Ahh Haa Moments

Today in church, Pastor Scott was talking about 'Ahh haa' moments...you know, those moments where suddenly everything makes sense and things seem clearer. He focused the message on Saul's meeting with God, which is found in Acts 9:1-19.

Saul was minding his own business, well he was actually on his way to find more followers of Christ and more than likely arrest or stone them. It was on the road that God got a hold of Saul and as Pastor Scott said,it was like God reached down and smacked Saul on the back of the head, knocking him to the ground, so He could get his attention. Saul is asked audibly by Jesus, why he's persecuting Him, to which Saul asks who is talking to him. Saul is then told that he should continue to the city and he would be told what to do next. The men that were with Saul had to lead him to the city, because he was struck blind. When he got to the city, he fasted for three days.

Pastor Scott brought up an interesting point, something that I had never thought of before when I read this story; the Eastern world view. The men that were with Saul, didn't run in fear from a voice that came from nowhere, instead they were still there to help Saul get to the city. Those in the Eastern part of the world, expect the spiritual...while here in the Western part, we're shocked when things that can't be explained happen. Why is that? Why is it that we're so surprised when someone is healed from cancer or some other disease?

Our God is so amazing that no one word can describe Him; even the word amazing does notdo Him justice. Why shouldn't He be able to heal someone from a disease? Is He not the creator of everything? Sometimes I think we get too comfortable in our own little box and we get stuck in a rut. We go to church, but for what? Do we go expecting great things or out ofobligation or the feeling that we have to? For some, it's because their parents say they have to, for others, it's their spouse. What would happen if this mind set changed? What if we went to churchexpecting great things? What if we went because we wanted to? What if we went because we wanted to worship our awesome God with fellow Christ followers?

I think it's time for us to stop being so comfortable in church...comfortable in our worship...comfortable in our faith. It might be hard, but no one said that being a follower of Christ was going to be easy. James says in James 1:2-3 12, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

The journey of one who follows Christ is not going to be an easy one, but we are never going to have to go through it alone. God will always be there. Jesus said in Matthew 28:20b,"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

As Pastor Scott said,'Sometimes we fast after having an ahh haa moment, but maybe we should fast in order to receive an ahh haa moment.'

I'm ready to become uncomfortable and I'm waiting to see what God has in store for me. Have I had my ahh haa moment yet? I've had some little ones, but I'm not giving up and I'm going to live each day, expecting the spiritual. I don't want to be shocked when someone is healed, I want to be able to proclaim that it was the power of God that did it...nothing to be shocked about, just blessed and humbled.

*Thank You, God for showing me things that I need to change in my life and things that I need to let go of. I fail You each day and will until the end of time, but I know that You are constant and Your love for me is never ending, so I thank You for loving me, even when I don't deserve it. Help me become uncomfortable in my box, help me see You in everything. Show me the plans You have for my life, I'm waiting on You. I love You, Father and I am truly blessed to be Your daughter. In Jesus' name, Amen.*