Disparate Threads

This blog is designed to give people an inner look at a devotional life. Taking time each day to spend time with the Lord. The hope is if you travel on this journey with Rev. Jacob Shaw, you may be more inclined to spend time with the Lord as well. I encourage the use of a devotional, a scripture reading and prayer, then finally some form of artistic mark to tie it all together. 

Today's devotional is taken from: Zacharias, Ravi. The Logic of God: 52 Christian Essentials for the Heart and Mind. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2019. [E-Book] Chapter 20: Disparate Threads

Opening Thought: Some people will speak about our lives being in God’s creative hands. The idea that God is literally weaving together our individual existences. The old Touch by an Angel notion of “God has a plan for your life.”  I think this notion is, likely, one of the more challenging for people to believe because it would mean that God is individually invested in you. I have had some pretty wonderful experiences, some so drastic and amazing, it was as if God slapped me in the face with clarity. Yet, still I sometimes fall into this category. What helps me to not stay in doubt is that since I have come to know God in my life as The Grand Weaver, I know to look for signs that God is speaking to me or working in my life. When you know to look, you are more likely to see what you are looking for, even if you’re not sure how God will present it.   

The devotional begins with: John 14:19

“Because I live, you also will live.”

Second Thought: Zacharias discovered this verse the day he tried to commit suicide, and being in hospital, reading this, it changed his life and brought him to God. I had a similar verse in my life, though I never tried to take my life. Though there has been some times where I have been in dark places and didn’t know where to go. My verse is a bit different; it is Isaiah 45:7 “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.” [KJV] These are challenging words to face, particularly when you yourself are feeling darkness, but what it reminded me, is that it was foolish to think that anything could fall outside the ultimate will of God, and if I wasn’t mindful to avoid pushing against the will of God, The Grand Weaver would not be able to help me, as I would be rejecting the only one who knows existence to that degree.

When I began to trust in God, the roads I faced, whether they feel peaceful or as a valley of shadows, I knew I do not need to fear. The more that sinks in the happier, more productive, less stressed, and more dedicated to faith I become.  

Continual Work: Take a few moments to think about a Bible verse that has meant something to you, if you don’t have one seek one out. It will be amazing you how the verse will speak to you.

What Rev. Jacob is Working On: Nothing today, everyone needs a break to just breathe in the glory of the life God has gifted.

Rev. Jacob’s Scripture time: Isaiah 7:11

Ask a sign for yourself from the LORD your God; make it deep as Sheol or high as heaven.

I find people are the most open to signs from God or even the general spectrum of supernatural reality when someone dies. As a minister, I get the privilege of walking with families when loved ones die. More often than not, people in the family will say that since their family member has died, they have gotten signs that are either, from the person that died indicating that they are alright in the afterlife, or that they feel God, or an angel have sent the family a sign on the passed person’s behalf. The skeptic would likely say that these people are just looking for reasons to believe this, to ease the pain. Sure, maybe that is the case, but just because your looking doesn’t mean something will always happen, especially as clear and unique of signs that I have heard of in story from people. And as I said, it is more often than not, even with non-religious families, people will begin to notice signs.  

If you never had a sign from God, take today a time to reach out to God, open yourself up to His will and ask deeply for a sign, and if it doesn’t happen today, try again tomorrow. Because He is worth it!!!

Prayer for your day: God of all the is Good, help us to see You in the world. Whether is be in the faces of those who need our help, or in the fingerprints that mark out souls as You carve us out of this earth. Let us be a fountain of joy as we celebrate all the goodness in Your world. In Christ’s name, Amen.  

Artistic Close: There are a lot of things in the world that we use to have to make by hand. Nowadays most things we have are made by machines and we have not appreciation for that hands on approach to making something, even as something every day as a hat. I dare you all to make something with your hands, and see how much you feel dedicated to it, and then think about how God must feel about you, so maybe let Him work on you as the Grand Weaver.

Men's straw hats, hanging inside the farmhouse at Yoder's Amish Home. Original image from Carol M. Highsmith’s America, Library of Congress collection. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel.