Simply Soul Searching
HOW IS GOD LOVING ME – AND WHERE IS GOD LEADING ME?
Wednesday, March 15th- Expectation
COME AND SEE!
John 1:35-39 (NRSV)
35 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and see.”
“We have what we seek, it is there all the time, and if we give it time, it will make itself known to us.” – Thomas Merton
We all tend to notice different things, don’t we? My grandson points out different models of cars. I notice cars… if they are blue. Jim describes a location using landmarks such as a gas station or hardware store. I’m clueless until he names a bookstore, restaurant or craft shop. In a library, my daughter is drawn to historical fiction books, while I move right to the spirituality section. What we notice is largely influenced by what we seek.
Jesus invited his new disciples to “Come and see.” All through the gospels, Jesus is encouraging us to come and see- to experience his life and love, not just learn about it. Jesus also tells us that the kingdom of heaven has come near (Matthew 4:17). He is telling us that we can experience the kingdom of heaven right here, right now! We can be active participants in kingdom living in this very moment. Through the Spirit, God is moving in us and around us, all the time. We only have to notice.
Do we make the effort to come and see? Do we expect to experience Jesus’ life and love in our lives? Our focus is often redirected to the earthly stories that assail and distract us. We then miss out on the kingdom story that is also being told. Or we focus on the things that interest us, and overlook the things that Jesus wants us to be interested in.
So our Lenten discipline for today is expectation. Today, let’s expect to see God working in our lives. Let’s remain attentive and aware, watching and listening. Let’s anticipate glimpses of kingdom living right here on earth. May we be expectant and ready to participate.
The symbol for today is a pair of glasses (or sunglasses). This will help remind us to watch for God’s movement, to keep our eyes on the kingdom, and to be focused and attentive for Christ among us. Jesus invites us to “Come and see.” Let’s expect to do so!
Loving Jesus,
Thank you for assuring me that the kingdom is here and now. Thank you for inviting me to come and see- to participate in this kingdom with you! Help me to be watchful and expectant. Keep me from worldly distractions. I long to see where you are moving and to eagerly join you. Amen.
Simply Soul Searching 
Once again you hit a Home Run! I am sad that people here say they know the Lord, ” l have a Bible in my apartment! I don’t need church or Bible Study”, they say. ( what good is a garage if you don’t park your car in it!). They know about Him but they don’t know Him, and they are unhappy campers. 😒 They are missing the joy of “experiencing ” and truly living with, and in Him! That is a joy beyond measure, that carries us above our trials and helps us solve our problems, and produces the peace that “surpasses ” understanding!
I truly Love these daily devotions of yours!
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I think your nickname should be “Barnabas” because you are always an encouragement to me, Patricia! Thank you. Our individual journeys of faith deepen at different paces over time… I’m just glad we can all walk this journey together.
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As soon as I saw the word Expectation I thought of Psalm 62:5 “My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him.”
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That is a beautiful verse, Adrienne! Yes! Thank you for sharing- the verse adds much to the meaning for me.
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