Introducing God

Anyone ever introduced God and then had him show up?

My wife as many of your know is a singer songwriter. She has a couple of CDs out and her own website www.laurawhidden.com. As she has done concerts over the last 12 years I have introduced her many times. She is a woman of great talent, an international touring artist, and opened for the likes of Scott Krippayne. The most important however is her mission statement; through her music she desires to inspire the awe of God which leads to worship, repentance, and relationship. Now here she is Laura Whidden.

Its fun to introduce her and then have people clap as she comes on stage. I know they are in for some good music, a fun show, and a chance to hear about what God can do in someone's life. Laura will sing songs interspersed with stories, she will write a song in concert with the audience and then invite them to come back home to be with their heavenly Father. She is all about worship, repentance, and relationship with God. I have to say though I have never seen a whirlwind come up afterwards and God speak out of it.

In Job chap 37 Elihu begins to describe God in the shape of a storm. I have a feeling he was inspired by the storm that was currently gathering. He speaks of God's thunderous voice, bringing snow and rain, and sweeping the land clean with his wind. He still has some things in here I don't agree with, hinting once again at the punishment of the wicked with the use of nature and then his love when he waters the earth. This once again is dangerous ground. I don't believe Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment of New Orleans, not do I believe when the rain doesn't come it means God doesn't love us. But even with Elihu's imperfect description of who God is he gets to introduce God. Because the next chapter starts with, "Then God spoke out of the whirlwind."

I think about the times when Laura does a concert, when we have lead worship music together, or when I have gotten up to speak about God to the minds and hearts of a congregation. There are mysterious moments when God shows up. You can feel his presence and the conviction that comes into the hearts of those there is far beyond what my words can do. I know my words and stories, and Laura's songs are not perfect descriptions of God just as Elihu's fall short, but somehow God shows up.

I don't think Elihu had any idea God was really in that whirlwind, he was just using it to illustrate his point. He didn't think Job should call out to meet with God. No man was worthy to ask for an audience with God in his opinion. Yet in his imperfect theology and understanding he gets to introduce God. Amazing!

May we recognize the opportunities we have to introduce God to those around us. Using whatever words, songs, or actions we have at our disposal. May our lives bring an awe of God which leads to worship, repentance, and relationship.