What did you eat today?

Have you ever found God hiding in a Jack cheese and chicken taquito?

Ok, today has not been the healthiest for me so far. This is something that I am still working on. It started off pretty good with a V8 before I left home to take Lorelai to preschool. But as soon as I hit the car it went down hill. It started with a few mike and ikes, then progressed into a half hot chocolate and half espresso from 7/11 followed with two jack cheese and chicken taquitos also from 7/11. This amazing diet has been followed by some "fun" time in the restroom and a little bit of caffeine head and typing skills. This morning has also consisted of putting on some blue jeans and a black Andrews University t-shirt with the words Seek, Affirm, Change written in bold white letters, and a conversation with a very talented church member who is really into video. He sees the possibilities of so much we could do with video ministry here in our church if we just had a little money, OK a lot of money starting with about 75,000. But that is pocket change to some people.

Jacob is getting ready to run away from Esau in Genesis chap 28, so that he doesn't end up dead. Isaac calls him in and tells him to go find a wife from his mother's family and offers another blessing on him for the promise given to Abraham to be carried out through Jacob's decedents. Jacob sets off for the journey to his uncle Laban's house. He stops for the night and chooses this really comfy material for a pillow, a rock, and lays down for a "good" night's rest. During this sleep number rest he sees a stair case going up to heaven with angels going up and down it. He gets a vision of the LORD and hears directly from God that he will be blessed as a great nation. He wakes up to realize God was there where he didn't expect him to be.

This is where we find out that Jacob is on his spiritual journey as well as his find a wife journey. He is surprised God is with him in this random place and he puts out a test of faith. He tells God, if he will provide for his food and clothes on this journey returning him safely to his father's house then Jacob with consider the LORD to be his God.

This reminds me of the journey I went through testing my faith. Deciding for myself if this whole God thing and Jesus thing was for me and not just my parents or my church. And I am reminded as well of the conversations that I have been having with students recently as they are also looking to see if the LORD with be their God.

I can now honestly look back at things like food and clothing and recognize in them the presence of God. Its a strange transition and I don't know exactly when it took place. I went from everything is provided because we work for it we get money we buy food and clothes to God is here in my Andrews University t-shirt, blue jeans and taquitos. But I did, I have come to recognize God as my provider. I have come to the place in my faith where I claim that every good and perfect thing comes from my father in heaven.

I don't know where you are on your journey right now. I would invite you to open your heart up to the possibility of God being present where you lay your head down to sleep tonight, in the provision of the converse you are lacing to your feet, the taco bell you have for lunch, and that sweet vintage tee you pulled over your head this morning. You might just be surprised in the places God shows up.

I hope today will be the day you can say the LORD is my God. The LORD is the translation for Yahweh, the is the God who is near, the God who is with us. The God who became us when Jesus put on flesh. I hope today is the day in your journey you begin to realize that Jesus is your God. Not just the God of your parents or teachers or preachers. But your God.