Winking at God
I remember winking at God as a child and effortlessly chatting with Him as if He was my invisible friend. There was a picture of me when I turned six in a puffy purple jacket with socks on my hands. If you strain your eyes to examine the grainy print, you will see a broad smile and a snowball in one of those sock-covered hands. I had prayed for snow on my birthday, and God delivered a fresh dusting of white powder in the deep South, where snow is pretty much nonexistent. On that frigid day, I clearly recall thanking God for the perfect gift, followed by a right-eyed wink.
I’m not sure at what age our natural wonder and wild imagination become dull compared to that of a curious child, and we start to view all the mini miracles as happenstances instead of God’s provision. Maybe it is the age when the heroic Bible stories lose their spark, and Vacation Bible School becomes boring. Perhaps our perspective changes when our bodies do, and the pressures and responsibilities mount as we navigate relationships, school, and careers. If we aren’t careful as we age, distractions increase, and we find ourselves going through the motions as we sing rehearsed hymns and allocate our time to God on Sunday mornings only.
Even though I was blessed to get to know Jesus as a child, which I understand is not everyone’s story, I was 32 when I truly allowed the Holy Spirit to take root in my soul. Whether you gave your life to God at an early age or much later, spiritual awareness switches from effortless to a disciplined practice at some point for all Christ followers. But once you experience God’s incredible presence and live fully in the Holy Spirit, you find that no other way of living suffices.
We must carve out time for our souls to call home, pining for our Father to answer, for Jesus to hold us, and for the Spirit to strengthen us. The layers thin between heaven and earth as we establish healthy rhythms that nurture our relationship with Christ. This delightful discipline can look like a long stroll in nature to reacquaint our hearts with the One who created them. Sometimes, it is singing songs of praise while our hands are washing dishes. We can always crawl back to Jesus’s lap by intentionally quieting our minds, praying, and reading the Word.
No matter which way you pursue the Lord, He promises that if you seek Him with all your heart and soul, you will always find Him, and His presence will be made known (Deuteronomy 4:29). Friend, that is something worth winking about.
Questions for Reflection:
1. Can you recall a time when God’s presence was palpable, and you found perfect peace?
2. What is a daily or weekly rhythm you can establish to nurture your relationship with Christ?
