The 3:00 AM God


I woke at a little before 3:00. On the backside of a nagging cough, a crick in my neck, and too much caffeine after 6:00 PM.

I was surprised to find God there too. Not that he's not always here with me and with you, but in that way that you're aware of it.

I had a feeling it was going to be a bit before I could drop back into sleep, so I just stayed in the moment with God.

There wasn't anything special or different said, just the normal "I'm here" feeling in a way that was reassuring and an end to itself.

And, as always, there's a sense of invitation. 

An inkling of "I'm always around. We might run into each other like this again."

No need to try to chase down or replicate the moment, just the gift of a moment.

And all of that under the well established relationship of trust and dependence that what he said is true.

_______________________

I remember chasing after God's will for many years as if it was a secret to be found like some kind of Indiana Jones adventure.  

Or at other times, it was cracking the code of success, and if I could just get all the pieces laid out right, it would all come together.

Still at other times, it was trying to figure out how to perform well enough for him to earn a prize like a contestant in an America's Got Talent kind of show of some sort.

Different searches during different times in pursuit of different kinds of experiences with what were likely actually different gods.

And I'm sure that, given the track record, I'll probably have some other kinds of pursuits of "god" over time, usually to help me dispel that version of God from my mind to make room for better.

_______________________

I don't have these super clear moments with God regularly or often.  They feel like the occasional gift or reminder that it's gonna be okay.

What often surprises me in hindsight is what they're NOT like. 

There's no giant secret message for me to reveal to the world.  

No political urgency that he is expressing me to articulate on his behalf.  

No banner of some social cause that he's selected for me to carry for him.

None of that kind of stuff.

It's just presence.  And peace.

______________________

I wish that for others today.  

I guess I pray that or, in better, clearer words, I ask for that from God for more people today.

I know it's a choice to listen and hear and I hope more and more people do.

May that be a part of what you experience today.

Grace and peace.

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