Awesome God!
by Margaret D. Mitchell
"Then Jesus said, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?'" -John 11:40
Autumn is my favorite time of year. I enjoy walks under a clear, sunny sky, framed by glorious colors and fallen leaves blowing by. It helps to clarify my mind and awaken my spirit to God’s glory all around me. Each day feels like a fresh, new beginning.
I’ve always had a special place in my heart for autumn, but it wasn’t until I began to study the Hebraic roots of Christianity that I came to have a more intimate understanding (and encounter with God) during the fall feasts season.
According to the Hebrew calendar, the Old Testament fall feasts have been completed now, and it is time to embark fresh, in a new year ahead. I love how God brings all of His purposed elements together to affect His plan on earth as it is in heaven.
Hebrews 13:8 tells us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Even the cadence of this scripture intimates a rhythm of presence and continuance. And we know that the New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old Testament.
During this particularly sweet season with the Lord, I was able to get away from the busyness of ministry and rest, reflect, repent, receive and restore.
Over the past five years, I have often prayed for understanding of why God chose the first Saturday in November for us to host our annual Women’s Expo. It seemed like an odd time, since other ministries conduct their main women’s events in the spring. But I knew I heard loud and clear at the outset. What I now understand is that this special season of God’s High Holy Days affords me a unique opportunity to come away with Him before stepping into a summit experience.
It is an awesome thing to behold the glory of the Lord and witness His convergent miracles for His purposed plan (Heb. 1:3). When I hear about the manifest connections that are created when multiplicity happens, I am overcome.
Each year we see people’s needs be met personally and professionally. One ministry leader met a Christian counselor who became her women’s retreat counselor for sexually-abused women. Another woman received personal prayer for her shaky marriage. Another woman intersected with someone who led her to a new job—within two weeks! The pivotal moments are priceless and miraculous and seemingly endless. And they begin even before the event.
God sets into motion His plans for us to receive in His purposed time. One of my favorite prayers is, “Lord, enable me to receive all that you have for me and nothing that is not of You.” I often open gatherings this way.
So far, I have witnessed an exhibitor help another get started with exhibiting her own artwork. They have been collaborating behind the scenes, printing photographs, cutting mats, packaging pieces to display at the Women’s Expo, where they will share a booth. The outreach and sisterhood I am privileged to witness is beyond description. It’s women helping women, lending a hand. So much Proverbs 31 in action, even before the big day.
This particular exhibitor has a heart to help women in need. She prays for God to bring her women she can help and hire. She is very hands-on and personable. And God has been faithful to answer her prayers. She contracts her crafted monogram work to a woman who works from home and has struggled with breast cancer for years. She is always the first one to show up at events, the first one to make an offering. Her heart is sold out to the Lord, His love and His directives. This woman is my friend, and I am inspired by her. She is someone who prays for others, who even leads the prayer ministry in her church. And God’s hand of blessing and favor is upon her.
God’s everyday miracles are all around us (Psalm 40:5). All we have to do is ask Him to help us see with His eyes, to hear with His ears, to do with His heart. He desires for us to seek Him, and He is faithful to answer our prayers, even if we aren’t so faithful or perfect (Heb. 12:2). He will finish the work He began in us, through us and on our behalf (2 Cor. 3:18). He is the God that loves us beyond measure. And one touch from Him can change us forever, causing us to forget past afflictions (Acts 8:13).
In what ways has God touched you in this season? Look around. What miracles do you see? Have you asked God to enable you to see as He does, to hear as He does and to do as He does? He is waiting to give you more. <3
Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ. This devotional was adapted from Margaret's forthcoming book, Enduring Grace. All rights reserved.
