Could You Make This?

In the last few days, I have had burning questions.  Constant companions to my waking hours and my slumber buddies in sleep, these queries tickle, engaging me in curiousity.  I live a set apart lifestyle and spend my weeks alone immersed in my work.  When these questions became pure combustion, I set out to make a list of my personal army of Safe People.

Who can I trust? Who will talk to me straight? No fluff or smokescreens? Who is willing to clamber down into the trenches, roll up their sleeves and dig deep into the heart, soul, and spirit of a matter?

Who will live out their claims of non-jugement or unconditional, faithful love?

My list was rather short. It was powerful to have so many warriors to name.

As I asked them one by one a few of my questions and began to pass the answers back and forth, it became apparent that there is so much yet to learn, so much we do not know.

However, it warms my spirit and further ignites me to realise?  We are all saying the same things in our own words.

Truly beautiful.

I ask you, could you make this?

Soaking, basking in God's Creations,
Jan M. Olsen


Brian writes:

Hi Jan,

When I see God, what do I see? What a loaded question! :)

I feel closest to God in the midst of his natural creation. The greatest times of illumination for me were when I was standing and looking at the heavens. My favorite verse is Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. There was a time when I had atheistic thoughts in Bible school after studying some hard material. I was so disillusioned that I walked outside to a field in the back and screamed, "God are you real? How can I know you're real?" The wind kicked up and I heard the trees start swaying and the leaves tickled by the wind. I looked up and saw beautiful cloud formations and the wind hit my face. A dry leaf fell off the tree and I heard a voice in my heart...pick it up...so I did. Then God asked me with that same voice "Could you make this?" I then was asked to pick a blade of grass "Could you make this?" Then, was the handful of dirt, "Could you make this?" Other questions came "Where did this wind come from?" Who made these cloud formations? Could you do any of this? The answer from my shaky voice was NO.

I have never doubted the existence of God since as I see him working not only in 'nature', but also in the daily business of my life. I feel the Holy Spirit most near when I am silent and admiring his creation. I am not one that thinks the birds are God or the water is God, but I do see that they are a reflection of his power and greatness. These places of awesome silence in nature are a sanctuary of praise and worship where I most see the glory of God.

The Bible says no man has seen the Lord, we only see representations of him (pillar of fire, cloud of glory, etc...). When I visualize him, I see him as a friend next to me. They say God fills the universe. NASA tells us the universe is expanding rapidly. I say God doesn't fill the universe, but the universe is trying to find the edges of God. We are smaller than an atom to Him, but yet He loves us. That's amazing to me.

I know this answer is vague, but like Paul I see through a glass darkly, but then one day FACE-TO-FACE!!! We know in part now, but someday we will be like him. The small glimpses I see of him in my spiritual and physical life keep me going that one day I won't have to guess or wonder. I'll know everything I need to know. :)

Love ya,
BF