Are You Seeing God Connections?

Yesterday was one of those unexpected moments. As I reflect on it today, I cannot help but consider it part of God's divine design. They are usually small things, a realization what is happening is something God is behind.

In recent days, I've already been blessed to reconnect with my friend Kimberly Broerman at Deep Waters Center for Prayer & Exploration. Kimberly is a gifted spiritual director and visionary and I was excited to discover the opportunities available to us here in the ATL through her ministry and the Amerson House Retreat Center. Kimberly and I were in the ordination process together when she felt God's leading (at almost the last minute!) to take the off ramp into full-time spiritual direction. I am excited about how her ministry is growing and how we can work together for The Kingdom.

And then yesterday came and I spent nearly an hour talking on the phone with Kristen Vincent, founder of A Bead 'n a Prayer. God has given her an inspired ministry in spiritual direction, creating and teaching prayer practices through prayer beads. Our conversation delved into God's calling within our Annual Conference to establish a ministry of spiritual formation for clergy and laity, addressing what I have grown more and more passionate about in recent years.

I couldn't help but think of the quote I share from my friend Scott Ginsberg the other day, where he wrote in his blog, 

"I'd rather create than consume. And what’s fascinating is, when I make creation my dominant act, I do learn. I do grow my business. I do deliver value to others. I do connect with my peers. I do feel part of a community. I do make meaning."

I'm reminded how much creating we do when we are in connection. Not based on titles or assigned roles, mind you, but in real relationship, in community. Over and over when I have experienced these moments, I have looked back and seen a pattern growing. It is a pattern and recognition how creation happens most often when seeing God connections. The pattern I've observed is reflected in these four practices:

1.  Start with looking to God each day.
2.  Take time to look for God throughout the day.
3.  Listen for God in the people you meet.
4.  In community, focus on God as common denominator.

Over the next few days, I will explore these four pieces in a little more detail. I am convinced the more we are paying attention to God, the more our spirits and souls will find what we long for most deeply. Nothing in the Bible says our goal in life is to find our purpose or to be productive members of church and society. The overarching goal is being in relationship to God and one another, that is what I hear when...

...one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he [Jesus] answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the most important of all?"  (29)  Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  (30)  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'  (31)  The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."  Mark 12:28-31 ESV

May I Ask? What God connections have you seen, heard or experienced lately?

May I Suggest? Pick one of the four pieces today and apply it as you see fit. What do you experience? Where did you experience God? In whom did you meet God?

Ken is the Associate Pastor at Cumming First United Methodist and lead preacher for the NEW 9:51 Worship service meeting each Sunday morning. Follow Ken on Facebook, on Twitter: @jedipastorken or check out more of his blog at KenHagler.com.

Learn more about the variety of worship experiences, the many ministries and the incredible people of Cumming First United Methodist Church, Cumming, GA. A Traditional Church for Contemporary People!