I read something this morning that I don’t recall ever reading before. I mean, I’ve read the story more times than I can count, but one line caught me today: “But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!”
Recognize it? It’s from Luke 24, when Jesus appears to the disciples as they’re walking along the road. He even tells them, “Peace be with you.” And what do they do? They freak! They think they’re seeing ghosts.
As I read this, it struck me. How often do we look for God, seeking His presence and guidance for our writing, our careers, and when he shows up…
We think it’s a ghost.
Oh, not literally. But we convince ourselves it’s just our inner voice. Or our dreams. Or something we heard somewhere from someone…but it’s sure not God, because He doesn’t look or sound or feel like we expect.
The thing is, look at how Jesus responded to the disciples’ fear. He asks them for something to eat. And He eats it. While they watch. What a brilliant and simple way to show He’s as real as they are. He’s Jesus, right there. In front of them. And when at last they realize that truth, they stood there, “filled with joy and wonder.”
Friends, God is there. With you. Meeting your needs. Giving you the guidance you seek. Using you and your writing in ways you can’t begin to imagine. Rest in that. Rejoice in that. And as Thanksgiving dawns, let yourself be immersed the His presence. But remember, He doesn’t always show up in the ways we expect. And that’s okay. Because He does always show up in the way we each need.
This Thanksgiving, take a moment to be still. To feel and hear and love Him. And to take to heart the words He speaks to us every moment of every day:
“Peace be with you.”
The Whole Story and Nothing But the Whole Story
Thank you. This was just what I needed this morning. I will strive to stay tuned into Him, and keep an eye out for those God moments.
Peace be with you today, Karen. Inexplicable, astounding, transcending peace. He is holding your hand.
And peace be with you, Karen. Happy Thanksgiving to you and all the staff at Steve Laube.
This is the last thing I expected to find on my casual blog reading this morning and the first thing I needed. You startled me almost as much as Jesus must have startled the disciples. And, you reminded me of a still, small encounter earlier this week. I needed the reminder.
Thank you. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Karen, what a perfect post to head into this holiday season with. I need that reminder that God shows up, not always in the the way that I expect, but always in the way I need.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Thank you, Karen, for speaking truth and sharing encouragement with all of us. Happy thanksgiving!
Thank you, Karen for helping me to see that the answers I need are often right before my eyes. What I so love about our awesome God is the way he provides those quiet reminders that he is still God, and yet when he does I am often so surprised I don’t realize it until later. Thankfully our God is ever gracious and patient with us.
Blessings on this Thanksgiving eve.
Karen,
Thanks for the reminder that God “does always show up in the way we each need”. I am so thankful that He knows us and cares deeply about us.
Thank you and Steve and the rest of the staff at the Steve Laube Agency for being so willing to share your expertise, professional attitudes, faith and Fun Fridays :). As a newbie writer, I wanted a mentor. Now I realize that I am being mentored, in a sense, by this blog and the one at Books and Such.
Happy Thanksgiving!
The timing of this is almost creepy.
A friend of mine literally just messaged me, referring to Mark 6:48, and then I opened my email and read this.
Mark 6:48-49 goes: He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, (49) but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost.
Lately, writing has felt exactly like Mark 6:48. Other translations say that the disciples were “straining at the oars, because the wind was against them”. I’ve been feeling that way about my writing (and about so many other things in my life)… like the wind is against me.
This is one of those moments when He is definitely speaking. I just might wake up at 3AM one of these days and encounter a “ghost”. How fun. And encouraging. Lol.
Happy Thanksgiving, Karen and everyone else! Thank you for these messages that you share. They’ve kept me going. Lots of love your way.
Sometimes it’s ghosts, and then you have to read more of the Bible to figure out what to do next.
Just reading this today. It’s as relevant for the new year as for the holiday season. Thanks for sharing