Over the last six years I have been leading a small group at our house every week. In the beginning, a group of young men and women who were new to the faith had a hair-brained idea that we should get together to eat, learn, and grow in Christ. We had absolutely no idea what we were doing. The group did not have a leader at first as none of us felt qualified to lead a group of people out a paper bag, let alone on a spiritual journey. But we did our best, we struggled through it, and eventually that group nominated me to lead. It’s been an incredible journey over these last six years.
That co-ed group grew from 12 to 18 people and then we had to split it into two groups. We divided up into different parts of the house, now functioning as a men’s group and a separate women’s group. Eventually, our groups would end up growing to the point of needing to split again. And then again.
I’ve seen all sorts of men come into the group and it’s been life-changing to so many of us. I’d love to hear what God is doing in your lives, or what you wish He’d be doing in your lives.
People like Dan:
People like Bob:
People like Donny:
People like Josh:
People like Eric:
People like Travis:
People like Steve:
People like Andrew:
People like Josh:
People like Ryan:
People like Chris:
People like Mike:
People like Chris:
People like Josh (on right):
People like Andy:
People like Adam:
People like Todd:
People like Jeromy:
People like Matt:
People like Steve:
People like Jamison:
People like Gregg:
People like Nathan:
People like James (left):
People like Rob:
People like Paul:
And many more that I’ve not forgotten, but lack the photos to prove it.
Men have come and gone, but throughout the journey we have asked the question What is God doing? in some form or another. Some of these men have traveled to Kenya, Egypt, India, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Uganda, Nepal, Thailand, and beyond to see what God is doing in those places. He’s always at work and so we ask the question that always has an answer.
Every couple of months or so I like to stop whatever we have planned for group that night and ask these three questions:
What is God doing in your life right now?
What has God been teaching you? (and if you aren’t sure…)
If you were God, what would YOU be trying to teach you?
Many different people have answered these questions with many different answers. Sometimes we have no idea if God even exists, let alone if He’s trying to teach us something. What I try to do is expand our way of thinking to the point where we can imagine…What would God be trying to teach me or say to me?
The answers have been profound. Sometimes they’re hard to find, but I believe if we focus our hearts and minds towards Him, He’ll deliver. He always does.
And so these are my questions to you today. Please feel free to answer honestly with a “I have no idea” or “nothing”, or feel free to vent if you need to. This is a safe place.
What is God doing in your life right now?
What has God been teaching you?
If you were God, what would YOU be trying to teach you?
Pick any of these to answer or all three. Create your own question if you like.
God is telling me (ever so politely) to sit down, shut up, and get over whatever I’m worrying about today.
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God has been teaching me about “waiting” on Him. His timing is perfect. I direct the choir at my church and we do a christmas program every year. I have 2 other people leading areas and helping with stuff and it is hard when one person procrastinates. I see now that there were reasons beyond my understanding for it and God is in control.
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Honesty…scary but needed. Way too much has happened in life and I honestly don’t know where God is or what He is teaching me. I feel lost and confused when asked about Him. Hmm…
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God is teaching me that when I open my house to people I open my heart to Him.
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I am trying to learn to relax and stop feeling the stress in my life…I like to think that God is here with me…sticking to me like glue.. and showing me how…if I was God I would help me find the simple wonder of life…well that is what I try to do…stop and find the joy and happiness…
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God is giving me the strength to get through each day, one day at a time. With my divorce final a few months ago and my mother’s health spiraling downward, some days I find it hard not to spend the day in a corner crying but He is getting me through.
He is teaching me what I can do without and what I can’t. I can do without the big house. I can do without the nice car. I can do without the fake “friends.” I can’t do without Him, my sisters, my parents, my friends.
I’m stuck on that last one.
Thank you for the thought provoking post!
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I just started leading a small home group. I know what you mean about not having a clue. I’ve learned a vital truth about our God. He never let’s you down. He always shows up. I know I’m not qualified to teach. I didn’t even graduate from high school, for goodness sake. But, he chose me with all my issues and disfunction, and through it, myself and 6 other women are growing and sharing and creating a life long bond that comes only from serving Jesus.He’s taken us so far in such a short time that it makes my head spin. The amount of love…pure, life changing love that I have recieved, and to my own amazement, been able to give is a testiment that small home groups are what the Acts church was about. That’s why it works.
Loving each other and having all things in common, that’s what Jesus meant when he said Love your neighbor as you love yourself.
Sorry about going on and on, but as you can see,I’m a little passionate about this subject.
Thanks Pastor Ryan for having such a heart for those around you.
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Over the last 12 years of my life, God’s constant reminder to me has been “Trust Me!” Honestly, I’m a little tired of it. I’m 30, single and still not in the job I feel God has called me to. But I wait. I know that if I try to help God out or act on my own, I will not be happy. God’s plan is perfect…albeit the long wait time.
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God is teaching me that I am selfish, prideful, and I must change soon. I just found out my marriage in jeopardy because my focus has been so far from my spouse and His will for me. I am heartbroken and on my face to God. He is all I have at this moment, and I know that is more than enough.
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God is teaching me about letting go of myself and what seemed to be important, and to let Him mold the beautiful creature that is growing inside of me for the next 5 months. I have learned a lot about myself through pregnancy, and a lot about God and his miracles.
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What is God doing in your life right now? This is really an answer to all 3 – He is reminding me that HE is God and I am not. I am not in control of the timeline of the healing of my marriage, I am not in control of what that healing looks like, I am not in control of how that healing takes place. I am only in control of whether I choose God or not – I have to choose him all day every day. He will work in me, he will work in my husband, and he will work that work together for the healing HE desires.
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What is God doing in your life right now?
I think God must knocking at my door again, and wondering how long I’ll take to answer this time.
I have to be very grateful that He never gives up on me. Time and time again God allows me to to forsake His place/role/guidance in my life and lets me wonder along in my stupidity, pretending to myself that I can get by alone, without Him. But sooner or later (really later sometimes) I wise up and remember why He is great, why I want Him in my life and finally, I make room for God again.
Funny thing is I find that every time it happens (e.g. I start to get “too busy” for God), it’s takes me a shorter and shorter time to realize what’s missing and where I’ve gone astray. It’s just taking me longer and longer to find my way back.
Right now, I miss my church. But last time I walked into the building, MY church wasn’t there. It’s gone, destroyed and replaced by something false and misleading. I need to find church again.
Thanks for the very poignant question today Ryan.
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God has been teaching me that it’s ok to fail.
For my whole life, I’ve been obsessed with not failing. If I’m not sure that I won’t fail, I won’t do it. I have lots of great ideas but I tend to talk myself out of an idea before it has a chance to live – I think of all the ways it might fail and I know I can’t put enough safe-guards around it to make it fail-proof. So it goes in the trash.
The thing is, my obsession with not failing has caused me to live in a little box. Well, ok, compared to other people my box might not be little – I do take *some* risks. But God is not asking me to compare my life with others. He asking me what I’m doing about the potential he’s placed inside of ME. He’s challenging me to get out of my box, try a few crazy things, and let him take care of the risks.
I’m learning that his love is big enough to handle failure.
I’m learning that I don’t have to be defined by what I did wrong.
I’m learning to not judge others for what they are doing wrong. Instead, I can encourage them in what they are doing right.
If I were God, I would probably try to teach me that I have more potential than I think. I would say, “Step into the person you know you can be. Embrace your imperfections as part of your beauty. Work on the things you can work on, and leave the rest up to me.”
Thanks for a great post. I didn’t expect such an inspiring moment in the middle of my afternoon.
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God is teaching me that forgiveness = happiness.
To forgive someone is liberating to both of us. Forgiveness allows us both to move on, start anew, and become better people. Forgiveness is a form of love. God finds joy in forgiving us; we find the same pure happiness in forgiving others.
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What God is doing in my life right now is to show me that financially I have to get my act together. He’s been teaching me to slow down and realize I can’t have every material thing I want, that living with less is not a bad thing.
Unrelated to this, all this year God has shown me that I have to be careful with some of my husband’s family members. Sad to say, but not all of them like me in their family and even after 18 years of being married to their brother/uncle/dad/cousin they treat me like crap. In addition they can’t keep anything they hear or are entrusted with to themselves. I’ve not been involved with any secret-keeping, but only observed others. From watching, I decided it was best to emotionally move away from them, and they’re angry now. There is so much less stress in my life now. I’m hoping the way my in-laws act is just due to being addicted to a lot of drama in their lives and that as they age, things will calm down. (Well, one can hope).
If I were God, I’d probably be trying to teach me to trust people more.
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God’s teaching me to wait for Him to figure out my life for me. We found out that we’re due with twins in April, and the panicking planner in me wants to get all our ducks in a row and wants to know how the heck we’re going to pay for a new vehicle, the insurance deductible, etc. But the Lord’s been faithful, showing us how He’s prepared to care for us through all of this and how He’s taking care of us already. These twins are His creation – we were trying to get pregnant, but weren’t banking on two! So I figure, He got us into this, He’ll take us through it.
If I were God, I’d want to teach me to enjoy my life as it is right now and not spend so much time trying to escape it. I have an exhilarating three-year-old who loves everything and everyone, and I find myself trying to escape her more than I need to – her boundless enthusiasm and energy are exhausting, but a joy to be around at the same time.
Good on you getting your groups to multiply (sounds so much better than split, don’t you think?)! No social club, just following Christ. Makes me want to move to OH.
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I love all these wonderfully different faces of God.
1. God is helping me find my way closer to Him through some great blog friends.
2. God is teaching me to love myself.
3. If I were God (oh my that is a thought) I would be teaching me PATIENCE!
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I think my favorite questin here is “If you were God what would you try to teach you?” I think that is very thought-provoking. To answer it, I think I would try to teach me that the things He has placed in me are there for good. He won’t change his mind and decide I’m unworthy of it or unable to utilize it. I think right now He is actually teaching me this so maybe He and I are on the same page, eh? We moved across the country a few years back and I knew He was calling me into a season of rest. Then when the season was over I was not in a church that was open to “newcomers” (even though I’d been there for a year) being in any type of leadership position. After ramming our heads through walls for another 3 years we felt released to find another church. Now we’re settling in again and I find myself questioning if God really did tell me certain things and really does want to use me. I know He does, it’s just a rusty feeling.
Then I think what He has been teaching me is really how easily my faith comes to me. I’m an obedient person by nature so it makes it so easy to be obedient to Him, to trust Him, to just lean into the surrender. I’ve seen others struggle with believing for small things, big things, the Word. It’s a nice little lesson where I’m seeing His pleasure in my walk. I like it.
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What is God doing in your life right now? -
God is ever changing. He is growing our family and growing my love for my family. He amazes me every day.
What has God been teaching you?
That nothing is ever certain or static. That He may have plans that don’t fit my timeline, and that’s just fine. That the reason that my beliefs seem so crooked and distant may be for a very distinct reason. That there are others like me. That I am not alone.
So Ryan, ever thought about starting a church in Mississippi?
If you were God, what would YOU be trying to teach you?
Dependence. Faithfulness. Trust.
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I am currently reading “The Shack” and it is making me take a step back and reconsider several things in my life, including my way of thinking. I need to reevaluate, but in a better, more positive way. I’ll have to get back with you on this! Have a good day, Ryan!
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What God has been doing in my life this year has been healing my heart and giving me His gift of sweet memories.
God has been teaching me to be still and listen to Him.
If I were God, I’d be trying to teach me to remember that trust in and obedience to Him go hand in hand, and to be more worshipful and grateful.
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The last couple of weeks God has been telling me I need to offer forgiveness to someone who should be very close to me, but isn’t because of unresolved (even unexpressed) hurts. He’s telling me that I’m not going to get a different chance and I need to learn to ‘love’ what I’ve got without trying to change it or judge it. I’m not listening right now because I’m wallowing. But it won’t be long before I can’t even wallow in it….
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God has been pushing me to take my life in a new direction that benefits and serves more people.
He has been teaching me that it is okay to question and grow; He’s been teaching me that it is okay to leave parts of my life behind; He’s been teaching me that sometimes you have to give up something you love to get something even better.
If i were God, i’d certainly want to teach me to TRUST ALREADY. I am ready for the change, i am willing to change, but i am terrified. I gotta learn to trust God without hesitation. I think that i trust Him, but then am tentative when it comes time for action. It torques me off in myself, so it’s gotta torque Him off too.
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Wow.. a challenge.
What is God doing in your life right now?
He’s blessing my socks off. After all that took place this year God has really brought us through.
What has God been teaching you?
To have patience in HIM.
If you were God, what would YOU be trying to teach you?
Trust HIM and be more patient.
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What is God doing in your life right now?
-He’s knocking on the door of my heart right now, but being patient because I’m trying to figure out our complicated relationship.
What has God been teaching you?
-That there is nothing better than Him and His way.
If you were God, what would YOU be trying to teach you?
-Patience and kindness. For and to myself. More consideration of my fellow man.
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Right now God is supporting my sister and her family. She’s had her first of four major eye surgeries and so far she’s showing progress and our family has been shown so much support & love. God is (re)teaching me how to look for & speak to Him. I fell out of practice in August of 2007 and I’m starting to get back into the swing of things. If I were God I’d teach fairness, patience, loyalty, friendship and humor – all my favorites.
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I’m currently at home recovering from a total abdonimal hysterectomy..I have no children and I’m 36…I feel lost at sea, trying to see what God wants me to see. But I really have no idea. What is His purpose for me?? I don’t know what He’s trying to teach me??? I’m drowning in a world were the first thing strangers ask is “Have you got any kids?” and friends don’t understand…I’m lost and desperately clinging to an ever fading God.
If anyone has any Bible verses/websites etc that might help please let me know.
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God’s teaching me that I have become everything I never wanted to be – lazy, unemployed, in debt, still single, and wondering what my future is going to be if I don’t get off my butt soon.
Makes me wonder, if I don’t do something soon, how is He going to get me into action? Or does He even care what I do anymore? Has He given up on me? I would give up on me.
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I was an active member in (a couple of) charismatic Episcopal churches for years. (Before the big split.) Sang in the choir. Bible studies, small home group, fully committed, a part of the inner circle if you know what I mean.
And the box kept getting smaller and smaller and there were all these poor lost people out there whom we ‘loved’ in that patronizing oh so forgiving yucko way and I started wondering “where is the love?”
It started feeling cult like and mean and crazy. Who knows, maybe that’s my issue, other people seemed to be able to drift through and not feel any of that.
I walked away and have pretty well stayed away from organized religion in any form since then. No regrets about time spent or about leaving other than I loved the rituals of the Episcopal Church and the music and miss that part.
I have to keep it simple and child like. Analysis and a whole bunch of defining language is death to faith for me.
I boiled it down to a couple of things and started living out of that. 1. The Golden Rule 2. All things work together for good. For me this means that good can and will evolve from even the most difficult, negative thing that happens. Good/love always triumphs.
Not so different from what I hear you say here.
Love wins.
Okay, not the an answer to your questions but I started reading your cooking posts and so here I am!
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God is testing me. He is seriously pushing me to my limit…or so it seems sometimes. I’m struggling with living with an alcoholic who doesn’t care she’s an alcoholic and has no plans on getting sober, ever. I’m struggling with getting older by the day and realizing that I may never have children because I may never find love. I’m struggling with my work because one of my supervisors and I don’t get along. And I’m struggling with realizing that the people I thought were my friends really aren’t and I’m really on my own.
I am really being taught patience. I don’t know what else He is trying to teach me, but for someone who doesn’t have a lot of patience to start with, I feel like my limits are being tested. Unfortunately I don’t feel strong enough to get through it all in one piece.
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Kat, Stacey and all of you who feel down, don’t. You are not alone. You are never alone. And you will get through this time. One of my favorite quotes is from Mother Teresa: “I know God would never give me more than I can handle, but sometimes I wish He didn’t trust me so much.” On the other side of your darkness, on the other side of your brokeness, He waits for you.
Trust me, I should be the last one saying these sentiments to any of you. I lost my job in January 2009 and have questioned God and my faith more than I care to admit this year. I have cried, wailed, pleaded, asked “why me?”
After the acceptance, I then started to try to search for why this was happening, what God was trying to tell/teach me. I asked for clarity, for insight. I don’t know that I have yet to receive it, or that I am still just too stubborn to see it, but I still feel lost though more at peace. I feel, deep in my heart where He is, that He is preparing a place for me, for my next role in serving Him. I just have to be patient.
I KNOW it is hard, but try to recognize the little joys. Being unemployed has brought me closer to my husband, friends and family. I have met new people who have enriched my life. Kat, take this time to stretch yourself to do something new–volunteer, mentor kids, take up baking and donate the goods to a local food shelter. Maybe these things will even lead to a job!
Stacey, everything will come to you that you want–just keep the faith. You ARE strong enough–you have made it this far, and you will make it through the rest of the journey. I feel confident the light is near. DO NOT give up.
Sorry to ramble on, but anyone feel free to email me if you need someone to lean on.
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God is telling us(my husband and I) to pack up our life and move to Texas. Right now we live in St. Louis MO. My husband was interning as the young adults pastor at our church. We were comfortable, we were content, and then this past summer we went to Texas to visit some friends. God put it on our hearts but we as humans just kinda put it on the back burner. The more we got into the internship, the more we saw that God was directing us somewhere else. We loved being in the position, experiencing ministry first-hand, we were blessed with an actual paid internship and we were happy with our church. God began to work though and directed us. He showed us that we weren’t genuinely happy. That ministry, for us, shouldn’t be the way that it was. So at the end of November, my husband stepped down as being the intern. This was a huge step of faith for us because he was going to be un-employed(and still is), although its only been 5 days since he resigned. So, now we are living on my income and we are preparing to move to Texas. God opened a huge door for us. We will be staying with a couple that we have known for a while that are our mentors. We love being around them and they have 2 kids. What a blessing for us! We are excited, scared, but most of all, we are looking to God. He is providing and he is softening the hearts of our family members that find it hard to understand why we would take such a crazy step. We pray though that people who don’t know Jesus would see Him moving in our lives.
God is telling us to move and to fully rely on Him and we are obeying.
It’s the most humbling feeling in the world.
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Papa is blessing me despite my doubts, fears and understanding.
He is teaching me the difference between religion and true love. How to love and accept people like he does, how to live life outside of my former rule-bound tunnel vision (without totally bucking the need for order/boundaries in life).
I would be teaching me these same things. And I would also be working specifically on the skill of letting go and letting God. Overused cliche but it’s true. And extremely difficult.
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*First point should read “lack-of-understanding”….
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To keep my hands busy as I was instructed to do and more importantly to mind my own business. I tend to get “worked up” over things at my workplace, have a co-worker that can send me OVER THE EDGE. Which was beginning to effect the way I relate to all people and all circumstance. This is where satan toys with me. I have surrounded myself with scripture, pray for God to Bless me EACH DAY, to let me see HIS face,to keep my hands busy and mind my own business. Even when they try to push me over the edge!
God is good all the time…all the time God is good.
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God is telling me to be patient and he will provide. He has already taught me how to survive when struggling and he is making sure that I do not forget. He will get me through this and everything happens for a reason god has shown me this to.
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I think God is continually trying to teach me discipline. I stink at the daily discipline of praying and reading my Bible. My warm bed pulls to me and I struggle to get up. For the past 11 months I have been getting up before my family to read/ pray. It was going well until my daughter started kindergarten. Now it’s really hard, but I keep trying.
I also think He is encouraging me to love people more, to be more accepting and less judgmental. How can I share His love if I’m judging someone.
I love that it’s a never ending journey of faith!
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God is teaching me that He is absolutely, completely in control. That my salvation is not of myself – it is an indescribable gift. That He hears me even in the smallest of matters. That He is working in the lives of others all around me. And that I can make a difference in the lives of others with even a small gesture of love and good will.
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God is teaching me to trust Him. I have recognized so much fear lately….my baby has been struggling since birth and she is 4 months old now. Learning to praise Him in the trials and to be THANKFUL for His many blessings!!!
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You said we could be honest so here goes. If you would have asked this question 6 months ago my answers would have been very, very different.
God is doing nothing in my life right now and that’s the problem. I don’t have a bad life I just don’t see God working in it or anyone else life. Right now I seriously question if God exists at least the Christian God of the bible. I’ve learned recently that the Bible is full of contradictions and even if you have the faith the size of a mustard seed you still don’t get prayers answered.
At times I feel relieved that God is probably not real that good people are not going to burn in hell.
At other times I’m angry because when I needed God the most, when my faith was being tested. He is no where to be found despite my searching. I just knew my prayers would be answered because He loved me and would not let my soul or my families soul be in jeopardy. They were NOT answered my path has changed and I don’t see God trying to derail me to a different path.
I am beginning to believe that religion is a very effective coping mechanism and psychological tool at times. Our minds will believe anything if we want it bad enough. At least mine did until I used an unbiased mind and really stepped back and took a look.
So short answer nothing to all the above which makes me happy and sad at the same time.
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Basically I have been learning to put my troubles in God’s hands and allow him to guide my life in the manner he sees fit, not necessarily how I see fit. It is hard not to worry and agonize over your troubles, but to have faith that he will see you through it. I have definetly became a believer of the phrase “If He leads you to it, he will see you through it”. God is good!
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If I were God, I would teach me about the importance of prayer. My prayer life has been sucky over the past couple years and it has been showing in my daily life. I need to work on that big time.
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1. God is giving me little glimmers and signs of hope. Reassuring me that my job is not all crap.
2. Teaching me that not everything can be planned out Oh So Perfectly. Half of my employees are either sick, currently unable to work, or quiting.
3. I would be trying to teach myself patience. Massive, endless amounts of patience. Patience with a side order of valium.
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What a question. Everyday I am wondering will this be the day that I feel God do something in my life. Maybe it isn’t supposed to be so obvious, I should stop and count my blessings. I struggle with prayer and how to have a conversation with God. I envy people that pray and “see” the answers. I have faith and maybe it is just not strong enough. I need Him for so many reasons but I wish I could sense Him more in my everyday life.
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God is (continually) teaching me patience and humility. We’ve been essentially living off my husband’s income, which isn’t much after our insurance is taken out ($330/mo for insurance!). My last job was bringing in little (almost no) money, but it was a job and I wasn’t going to give up a little money in exchange for no money. I now have a new job, but the start date keeps getting moved back (I’ll be waiting tables at a new restaurant that is waiting for the inspection to pass so we can open). God is teaching me patience because it seems like we’ll never be able to pay our bills on our own. Humility, because we’ve had to borrow money from family more times than I can count because we simply can’t pay our bills (and can’t get out of our lease for a cheaper place).
I keep telling myself that I’m blessed to have an amazing church family, great family (my own and my in-laws), a nice place to live…but my word, it’s so hard sometimes…Lord, give me patience to persevere and bless us with financial stability as I start my new job!
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I have no idea what God is doing in my life right now. I’m grateful for the things he’s loaned me – a healthy little girl, a house, a good head of hair (hey, if its important to me its important to Him, right?), but I still have no idea what he’s doing. I also have no idea what He’s teaching me. I can’t even recognize His sweet voice anymore. I used to be able to. I used to hear him so loudly that when I went to the bathroom in the middle of the night I would hear “Bec, you’re going to want to turn on the light tonight – there’s a bug on the wall.”. Keep in mind I have a faithful pest guy so bugs in my house are rare and I’m deathly afraid of them. But somewhere between middle-of-the-night bug warnings and nightly chats about our day together I’ve forgotten what His sweet voice sounds like, and consequently have no idea what He’s doing in my life. If I was God I would be trying to remind me of that voice – the only voice that can calm a storm, create worlds, and soothe a crying baby … or woman in the span of seconds, the voice that every commercial company would hire as their spokesman if they could, the voice that will stop wars and disease and death once and for all, and the voice that would gently whisper “Bec, look out for that bug.”. That voice oozes love. I really miss that voice.
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I am not sure what he is teaching me right now. I know there are areas where I need his help and support, but unfortunately, I can not find it. I know it is there, but I my mind is closed right now to it. At least I recognize this. I wish I knew how to open my mind and heart, because I am suffering greatly now without out it. Perhaps that is part of his plan….
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Looking at those photos reminds me of the time that Oprah was interviewing the cast of the TV show Friends. “Y’all need a black friend,” was her comment.
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Darlene from Orange County, California
God has been teaching me to be ever so grateful; for HIM in my life. My health, job, home (as I have seen so many loose one or all) And oh so importantly my family and the wonderful friends he has brought into my life.
He has taught me to ask each day to empty me of myself and fill me with Him; to have His understanding,empathy,patience,kindness and caring for others. And above all, to pray …about everything.
No matter what may be going on day to day (good or bad), I always take a moment each day to thank God for His many generous and gracious blessings. I want Him to know I am ever so grateful that He is in my life EVERY DAY.
It has been a wonderful year: I have learned much…..and THAT is yet another wonderful blessng from Him.
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Dear Agnostics Wife:
It is difficult to respond without knowing all of the details. But I would like to reply with this:
I will be praying for you. That God will soften your heart. That He will comfort you and give you peace. That He will remove your anger long enough for you to feel His comfort and peace….
I would like you to remember that God didn’t promise us a rose garden. There are great trials for Christians – just look in the Bible. If you are finding contradictions in the Bible I would ask who is helping you to find them? Is it a Bible scholar? Are you a Bible scholar? Prayers may be answered; just not the way you wanted them to be. Sometimes they are not answered at all. The path we want and the path God has for us are many times not the same.
You are very angry right now and lashing out at God. I can understand that. I haven’t always had an easy life myself. Many prayers were not answered and at the time I didn’t understand. But looking back I can see what he was doing….and it was good. May not have felt like it at the time.
I have lost a child, my husband to another woman, lost my home…I now live in an apartment which I am VERY thankful for..it may not be a house but it is my home. I have been laid off of work, but thankfully have a good job now. I have almost died 5 times. I have struggled as to why these things happened to me….and eventually found the blessing in each one of them. Yes a blessing. That doesn’t mean it was a blessing to lose a child, my husband, etc. But a blessing in the experience can be found.
And by the way. We aren’t alone. Many have such difficult trials. Much worse than mine and yours (perhaps).
Don’t let satan get the better of you. It is what he wants. And he will be thrilled to have you join him in his pits for all eternity.
God gave us choice. It is your choice. I pray you will choose the right one.
God be with you.
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trying to help me figure out my life, i think. i don’t know. i definitely don’t know.
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God is teaching me what things are of real value by taking a somewhat spoiled upper middle class girl and landing her in a marriage and life where we have next to nothing. No home of our own, no vehicle of our own, no savings and barely enough money to purchase a few Christmas gifts for our soon to be three children. On one hand, going on three years, it’s been very enlightening and I am learning great and multiple lessons. On the other it can be incredibly frustrating some days. I just have to remember that God works all things together for good and his thoughts towards us are good and caring as well.
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What is God doing in your life right now?
God is showing me how to live a life of meaning and wonder. I saw him in the eyes and hearts of a group of fellow Catholics and musicians over pizza today at dinner. I saw him in candlelight earlier today at our annual outdoor Advent Mass. I heard him in the priest’s homily: “Showing salvation is something everyone can do. Not everyone can preach, not everyone can teach catacumens. But everyone can show what salvation looks like, in how they treat others and the kindness and courage they show in their daily lives.”
What has God been teaching you?
To live a life of kindness and courage. To persevere in light of personal, academic, and financial hardship. To see beauty in all people, things, and places. To work hard for Him and for everything else I believe in.
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Sometimes I have to pay close attention to my life to know what God is teaching me. The last 7 months, however, He’s been speaking loud and clear. I am 58 days from becoming a mother (can you tell I’m ready to be done?), and He’s trying to teach me to remain grateful. I, of course, am resisting. It’s been one very tough pregnancy. It was a struggle to get pregnant, and a struggle to be pregnant. Between 8 visits to the emergency room, having to see a neurologist, having an OB who seems to hate women, and gestational diabetes striking amid my holiday baking, I’m exhausted and frustrated. I’m ready for our son to be here so I can eat cookies again. *blush*
But when I look back over the years of infertility and the medications, I know I’d go through worse for this baby. Just when I think I’ve had enough, when I’ve pulled yet another muscle and gotten another wild blood glucose reading, I’ll be lying in bed and my son will kick or hiccup or stick some random body part into my belly, and all the craziness of this pregnancy disappears. And I’m grateful. I’m grateful for the lessons God is teaching me. I’m grateful that I get to experience every moment.
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God is teaching me to be strong through life’s challenges. God is also teaching me that I am here to help others.
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I think God is teaching me how to listen to Him. I am begging Him to help me in my life and praying for strength. I know He hears me, so maybe I need to further open my heart and my bible to better hear His word. I feel like he is teaching me patience. It is definitely a lesson I need to learn.
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What is God doing in your life right now?
leading me back to church life
What has God been teaching you?
that it is ok not to be perfect, or fit a perfect mold, but rather to be the best of what only He wants me to be
If you were God, what would YOU be trying to teach you? to trust completely, even when it’s impossible
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God is slamming me with reality right now and has been for some time. I know there is a lesson in everyday and every experence but man are those hard to swallow and there gets to be a point to where you want to scream to him ENOUGH ALREADY! That is where I am at right now….ENOUGH….now bring on the happiness. We all deserve it dont we? Or maybe not? Life is so full of lessons, some days I just want a day and not a lesson. Is it posssible?
Is there happpiness or just the act of pretending? Sometimes I wonder. Normally I would consider myself a halp full person rather than a half empty….but the stress of this horrid year makes feel like a half empty human being. Do I pray about it….no because I am so tired of defeat. Is that stupid to give up…you better believe it. Will I give up? Hell no but some days are harder than others. I guess this is one of them.
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God is teaching me that dust will be in my house forever but my children will not, and that I should stop trying to have a clean home with everything in place all the time and use the extra time with my kids. It may seem like a no-brainer but it hasn’t been easy. Let go and let God.
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Very simply. I’m being taught to “be obedient” (which is difficult because it requires dicipline.) “trust God” (which I’ve always known just being reinforced)
PS
God Bless you Darlene. Great response to the agnostic.
God does always answer. Sometimes the answer is NO. One day we’ll know why.
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I don’t know who Eric is, but I couldn’t take my eyes off his eyes. He is saying something with his eyes. They are beautiful. God is teaching me to shut up and to be a better mother. He’s teaching me I can’t fix all the problems my kids have. it’s so hard to be quiet and let them learn from their mistakes, let them work through their problems without my advice and help. My kids are 35, 29 and 18. I’ve been at it for a long time and it’s not any easier today than it was when they were little. I really could use His guidance right now.
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He is asking me why I am not desiring Him with all my heart….and I’m asking what is wrong with me?
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Now and always, and in all ways, G_d is showing, reminding, drawing a picture for me, that in the end “these three remain, faith, hope and love, but the greatest of them is love”, especially when dealing with loss and grief. G_d is teaching me that the road to love is always and only through fundamental kindness, at all times coming from the position of kindness. If I were G_d, I would teach me patience and restraint in reactions so that kindness, and so love, can be what comes out and what I give out, but also be what I perceive in the actions and reactions of others.
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I love your thought provoking questions/statements/ideas…love it!!!
What is God doing in your life right now?
Big, big stuff!!! I don’t know the answers yet, but i’m trusting that He already knows…trusting the process…
What has God been teaching you?
to look for HIm in the small moments…every single day…
If you were God, what would YOU be trying to teach you?
* to slow down…
* to not sweat the small stuff
* i think to realise/know the difference between what is really important in life and what is not….
My mom passed over 4 months ago… and in relation to her death, nothing else really is a ‘big deal’. It kind of puts things into perspective in a big way.
I’ve learned that as a human being, I’ve been ‘busying’ myself with too many unimportant things, running away from ?…..God? Not angry that my mom left, just sad…I’m thinking all this now because when I do get quiet….and it is just me and all my thoughts and emotions, the tears well up and I just want to cry…
all the time…i get the message ‘slow down’…
Thank you Ryan for this amazing post and questions…it made me stop and re-think where i’m going with all this ‘busy-ness’…such a waste of time…
wow….tearing up… for you opened a space in my heart that i’ve closed down since my mom left ….
what is God doing in my life right now? Trying to tell me to slow down and embrace the moments within..the giggles from our 9 year long awaited son, the truth that He is the way, that when you get quiet, and you breath within the moment, you know that He is the truth….wow…thank you Ryan xx
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God isn’t telling me anything anymore because I stopped asking. I chose to stop believing in the existence of God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost, and my life changed for the better instantly.
Instead of spending my time praying to God to solve my problems, fix my financial situation, fix my marriage, heal my health issues, etc. I decided to take matters into my own hands and fix my own life. It was empowering to realize that finally I, and solely I, was in control of my life and destiny.
Once I stopped believing in God, and started directing all that misguided energy to the “right” source: ME, I started solving my problems myself. I became stronger. My faith went from being fear-based and external to fearless and within me. And guess what? I’ve never been happier. The bad economy didn’t affect me, my life is great, my business is thriving, my health is better than ever.
If tomorrow I am struck with poverty, disease, or problems, which will eventually happen to everyone regardless of faith, then I’ll accept the problems as a part of life. If I can change it, fine. If not, then I’ll deal with it without praying or worrying excessively. It’s not the problem that kills you, it’s the worrying that does.
Instead of praying to an invisible God, you can start having a conversation with yourself. Discover ways to become stronger, more self-sufficient. Ask yourself: “If God or Jesus didn’t exist, how would I solve this problem myself? How would I deal? What is the next step?”. Then you’ll find out that You had the answer all along.
Thanks for your post, Ryan. Love your recipes on The Pioneer Woman and I wish you all the best.
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God is helping me through a really stressful time right now with my schoolwork. But while I am managing through that, I think God is trying to teach me that I am okay, just as I am, because he knows that when I am stressed or depressed I fall into self-destructive spirals, and I am riding one of those round and round right now. If I were God, I would tell myself that it will all be okay and I can stop hurting myself- but I won’t listen to it if it comes from me, and unfortunately it seems like when I try to listen to God say the same thing I won’t let myself hear it.
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I wish God would straighten out the Middle East mess, and do something constructive about people who hurt/kill/abuse children. And what is the point of cancer?
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We lead a small group of wacked out 30 or so teens each week. They leave a mess at our house. They also leave us reveling in God each week and how He works in their lives. In the past 3 years, we’ve seen depression turned to joy, defeat turned to victory and opression tunred to overcoming. It doesn’t matter where you meet or how “brilliant” of a teacher you are when God speaks thru you and for you. What is God doing? Everything. What has God been teaching me? About the Holy Spirit…I could go on for hours. What POWER. Nuff said. If I were God? Holy crap…I don’t even wanna go there..but how about…try being a Samaritan for a change…look beyond myself and notice that person that NO ONE else would…love them. Help them…be Jesus to them..
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Natalie–I tried to click on your name, but it wouldn’t work, so I’m posting , hoping you’ll find this….you are the 27th poster, I think.
Honey–I believe you’re very depressed. I recognize this because I suffer from clinical depression, and when it hits me, I feel so far away from God myself! It makes me think that depression must be from Satan, because it takes us far from our family, our friends and more importantly, God! It even makes us feel guilt about the way we feel, and God really wants us to feel at peace….we aren’t promised happiness all the time, but we can have peace. Still, when my mind starts to “play tricks on me”, it’s hard for me to remember this! When this happens, it’s even harder for me to pray and for me to pick up my Bible and read, but I know that God loved us–the whole world–so much that He came to earth in the flesh and died and raised Himself up again to prove that He has conquered death. HE did this so that we can all be with Him when we die, if we only believe that Jesus is our Way, our Truth and our Life!!. Now these aren’t MY words–they are words in the Bible, words that God breathed to men’s hands!
People have their little “gods” they “worship”, but no god but our God has ever given Himself to save us from our own sins—way before we were even born. No, I cannot explain the Trinity–the Three in One: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit–I just believe in it, as God has asked me to.
In Romans, (I think chapter 5)Paul explains to us about God’s law and mercy—’God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. 21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.(NLT)
I’m so sorry you’re going through this awful time, and I know you feel so hopeless! But believe me when I tell you—it will get better; God knows you better than you know yourself!! He loves us when we are un-lovely. Please, when you feel like it, pick up your Bible and read the Gospel of John–just start there–it’s the Gospel of Love, say a little prayer asking God to give you some understanding of His love letter to you and the rest of the world–and HE will! I pray that He will show Himself to you very soon! I’m so very hopeful this helps you just a little until you are back on your feet!
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Natalie says:
December 14th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Thank you so very much for your kind words. I appreciate it and will take your advice about the Bible reading. Thanks for showing you care, I’m a total stranger to you yet you understand and for that I am grateful… kindest regards Natalie
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Dale Carnegie, once wrote: “One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon—instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.”
Become one in the present moment with all of the roses that show up in your life. Stay present: every second, every minute, and every hour. Every day of your life is full of present moments of infinite value. You won’t find God yesterday or tomorrow—your Source is always only here, now.
I strive to follow this very simple action -
it’s the only way I get through some very heavy duty “down” days.
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God is telling me to be more prayerful, but at the same time, not to expect prayer to “magically” make things appear for me. Like that job I want, or an A on my next term paper.
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What is God Telling me?
God is telling me to be in the present. Don’t worry about everything and miss what beauty is right before my eyes.
What is God trying to teach me?
God is teaching me to “Thank” my body for carrying me and continuing to be healthy after I have abused it for years. God is teaching me to love my body again, it’s my precious vessel and I must take care of it. God loves my body he gave it to me and I’ve mistreated it….now I’m trying to make up for that.
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God showed me freedom recently. And I don’t mean the freedom that we have when we accept Christ, I mean the true freedom of letting go of something I was holding on too. Squeezing the life out of…. It was a Saturday. We went to a 24 hour prayer service at our church. I was praising and Worshiping God when it hit me. I was not free. Then others started talking about freedom. And one girl ran around the room with a huge smile on her face, I knew she was free. I wanted that. I truly did. So the Lord spoke to me, and through me to others. And I let go. To the thing I had been squeezing the life out of, which was no life really at all. So today I am free. Today I experience that freedom every second that I breathe. True freedom came when I was able to see it, taste it, feel it, and let all the binding stuff fall away. And it wasn’t a HUGE moment, where there were fireworks. No it was the gentleness of God’s grace for me to let it go and truly believe I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am thankful for that. I love this new found freedom! God continually shows me that freedom daily.
Along with that freedom He is teaching me to stop. Just stop.
And if I were actually able to be our God, I’d continue to meet me on the side of the dirt road in my beat up car while leaning upon the fence smiling just as I always do when I come to the realization that I can get into the backseat and allow God to drive….
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As a preacher’s kid, I’ve grown up analyzing the church, being a part of the ups and downs of leadership and ministry.
Over the past several years, God has allowed me to be let down, both by people in positions of leadership and by general church members and friends. I have found myself becoming overly worked up about the actions of certain people, and by some decisions made by the church that, although they are not wrong in any way, are not what *I* would do. It colors my perception of the church, and I believe it inhibits my own spiritual growth and ability to minister.
Last week, I took a good long look at myself and saw in myself the face of Peter, when he sees John and asks Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” And Jesus’ response, paraphrased to apply to me personally, is this: “If I want __________, what is that to you? You follow me.”
God continues to remind me that my job is not to be concerned with other Christians in terms of whether their actions in the church are the best for the kingdom. My job is to follow Him. Myself. Period. And that task is such a great one that it will take me my entire life to accomplish. People will let me down, people will fail. But God will be faithful always.
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Dear Nina,
In your post you said you have quit asking God and started asking yourself; now things are getting done.
I was just wondering if you realized that it isn’t all up to God. We are partners with him. When we pray for something, we need to move and do our part as well. i.e. If you want a job you apply for jobs, as many as possible and do what you are supposed to do. Through prayer He can lead you to the job He has opened for you.
Again, perhaps He answered your prayer but it wasn’t what you wanted to hear….or you just didn’t hear His answer. Sometimes no answer can mean WAIT. God’s timing is always perfect. As humans we can become impatient. But waiting builds patience which can protect us from making rash decisions.
You may be making everything happen through yourself now. But please ask – do you have God’s wisdom, discernment, knowledge, the ability to know your life from birth to death?
Satan’s plan is to make us believe we don’t need God. We can do it all without God….until something happens and we find ourselves on our knees asking for God’s help with the decisions we made – by ourself.
I pray you will find your way back to God. He has a plan for you. If things were not happening fast enough for you, He had a reason. He may have been preparing just the right job, home; whatever it was you were waiting on. He may have been growing you.
Let me leave you with this: Our plans for ourselves are never as great as the plans God has for us.
God be with you.
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I am so relying on God right now at this time in my life. Praying that God will be faithful.
My husband and I have worked together in our busness for 20 + yrs, side by side. With these economic times we are seeing a struggle but holding on. I an
praying that God will provide for us and trying to give it all up to God. This is completly the hard part as I am a control freak, stress freak, that holds it all inside my self. Sometimes I feel like I will explode. I just pray, trying each day to leave it to God.
I look at your photos on your site and these people look so relaxed, so at ease. Wondering if I look like that or a stressed out freak.
What is God trying to teach me, to relax, rely on him, Iam trying, so trying.
Thank you for sharing, I so do enjoy your blog, Thank you, thank you!!
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I HOPE God is trying to teach me to be a better parent. One who can help her 15 year old navigate the murky waters between childhood and adulthood. One who can help her child get through the feelings of hopelessness and despair that are consuming him.
I HOPE he is figuring out how to teach me when to be strong and lay down the law, and when to be gentle and compassionate.
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I actually feel a little lonely/lost.
I’ve never really “practiced”, but I have attended church the odd time. Not for many years, actually. But spiritually I’m feeling a bit lost. Where am I in life? What am I doing? Am I happy? Am I a good parent/wife?
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Well, God has been putting me in circumstances in which I have to exercise leadership for a while now and it finally occurred to me that he wants me to deliberately practice learning leadership, maybe to balance out my personality in that direction. He has also been transforming my HARD circumstances slowly, teaching me along the way through my choices, reminding me of his restoring love and delight in mercy…
The “theme” that seems to be popping out of scripture at me lately, confirmed at church, etc. is courage. I’m seeing the need for it everywhere in my life! so, I think he’s teaching me that in new levels.
If I were God I would be teaching me to “name it and claim it” because that’s what I would like to be able to do – hehe – quite literally. and I wouldn’t be entirely selfish with it, I promise. Haha maybe I’m not God for a reason. Midas touch, anyone? How about Genie in a bottle? sorry I can’t be serious about that one, Pastor Ryan, but if I were God I would know what questions to ask… to come up with an answer. What do I think I need to learn? how to work hard and relax simultaneously.
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He is currently showing me that I need to “Do it afraid”. I just opened an Etsy store and I believe the artwork is from Him. But I have always struggled with self-doubt and insecurity. So to push forward anyway…that it’s my destiny to use the gifts he’s given me. That’s what I’m learning from him.
I struggle with seasonal depression. I think He is trying to teach me to trust Him…even when I don’t hear His voice or see His face.
If I was God I would be teaching me patience and understanding. I would want to show her (me) love and assurance.
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I don’t understand…how can you believe something you have never witnessed? Something you have only read about? Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying I DON’T believe, but I honestly have no clue about WHAT to believe. Would someone as precious and grandiose and God really allow children to suffer? To allow parents to absolve the trust between parent and child? What makes you a candidate to go through the suffering and pain? I am just confused, I guess. I tried church for some type of enlightenment, but can’t seem to find it. Please, if you have answers, I am open minded and open hearted. saharracogswell@q.com
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Um… exactly how should I know??
Pretty sure God exists, but also quite sure he’d rather we handle our own affairs in general…
I’ve heard it from all sorts of Christians, “God can’t interfere with our decisions. His hands are tied by man’s free will.” (Usually used as an explanation [excuse?] for the evil proliferating on our planet and God’s inactivity as far as’policing’ it goes.)
I kinda wish God was a supremely caring genie who had solid answers to each and every problem/question… would make life a whole lot simpler to deal with. Alas, no such luck :/
If he’s trying to show me something, haven’t got a clue what that something is… or, for that matter, exactly what “God showing me something” means.
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I’d have to echo what someone else said….I think God has/is teaching me to trust people again. He has brought people into my life in the past year to show me how to trust. People who know how to be a friend and to love unconditionally. People I never thought I would be friends with.
Friendship and fellowship — a blessing.
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reading through these responses has been really interesting. thanks for asking these questions.
God has really been showing me lately how much love and compassion I am capable of feeling in my heart. I ended up in a job working with kids in a different capacity than I set out looking for, and trusting God’s plan and starting this school year with an open heart has allowed me to really feel His grace and discover gifts He has given me that I didn’t recognize before.
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He’s teaching me absolute trust and faith in him. That he has a plan for me which I don’t know all the details of, but I know how to get there. He’s teaching me there is a time for everything and you won’t always get what you want on earth, but in Heaven you’ll be able to continue your life with your family and all those who have passed on in your life.
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