Oh, the Places Where God Has Been with Me
In October 2017, I had my first-ever angiogram so my cardiologist could look at my heart to discover the blockage and damage that had occurred. I was afraid. My blood pressure was high as I lay on that surgery-room table. And God was with me.
In December 2017 I had open heart surgery resulting in three heart bypasses. God was with me through it all. As I lay in the surgery prep area the attending nursing staff had to shave the front part of my upper body. I was afraid. I was tearful, and God was with me.
I’ve gone through bankruptcy and wondered if I’d ever repair my credit rating again. God was with me through all of that.
I’ve had love go sideways, and God has been with me.
When the creditors called and wanted to repossess my new Ford Taurus, God was there.
In job changes, in job losses, in the pursuit of career paths, God was there.
In the hard decisions – about careers, homes, cities to live in, whether to move or not, and a dozen other decisions that are tough to make; in every situation, God has been the steady hand, the guiding still-small-voice always looking on and always prompting, always impressing me as to which path to take.
There are some giants that I have admired during my years of living – men and women I have and still do look up to. Billy Graham was one. Here’s what I read one day a few years ago.
God spoke and said, “I don’t need Billy Graham more than I need you.”
What? But I’m not a famous person. I’m a nobody in the grand scheme of things. And yet, God said He needed me just as much as Mr. Graham. How can it be?
I’ve read of numerous accounts in the scriptures of how God has used ‘nobodies’ and made them useful.
Mary was a peasant girl, perhaps fourteen, and God used her to birth the Christ-child.
He used a prostitute or two as examples – one of which was the woman
about to be stoned. His words were simple – “Neither do I condemn you.
Go and sin no more.” (John 8:11)
He used David, a striking, good-looking lad who later committed adultry and then had the woman’s husband killed in battle. That’s a long fall from grace, and David came back and was claimed as, my words, “The apple of God’s eye.”
Peter denied Christ three times and look at the impact he had on Christianity and the spread of the gospel.
Do you see the places where God has been with people down through history? He goes to the depths of the mud and back to bring redemption and grace, forgiveness, and healing. And He gives peace and His presence in the middle of the mundane moments of our lives.
I know what it is like when the presence of God invades an operating room
with His peace and settling presence.
I’ve experienced His calm assurance in the middle of trauma, in family
crises, in the death of family members, and when in financial need. God
has met me in these places, and I am a living witness to His grace, mercy,
and peace.
I am nothing special. I’m not famous. I’m not rich or influential, and I don’t own the largest house in the city, and yet, God has been with me in the good and the bad times of life.
And this same grace is available to you, regardless of your name, rank, serial number, bank account balance, skin color, language you speak, or status in society.
You are loved and graced with the presence of God, who watches over you. He never sleeps. He never takes His eyes off you. He never takes a vacation, and He cares for you oh, so much.
One of the strong Bible verses that has stood the test of time in my life is Joshua 1:9.
That is indeed an encouraging word for today.
Internet Church
P Michael Biggs
Hope~Encouragement~Inspiration
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