Have you ever read a novel with a protagonist who just doesn’t get what s/he needs to learn in order to succeed/find happiness or balance in his or her life? You as a reader just can’t understand why s/he does not get it. The protagonist struggles with the same thing over and over again until finally s/he gets a break through and things start looking better.

It is so easy to know what’s good for the protagonist while you’re reading a novel. But why o why we can’t help ourselves? Why can’t we notice what we need to learn in order to get that break through? We struggle with the same old, the same old without finding a way through it. Especially when we can’t even name what’s wrong with us. Sigh. Maybe we have forgotten something in the process?

Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
(Isaiah 43:19, AMP,*)

Oh, yes! We are not alone after all. God is at work in our lives. Why don’t we notice God and what he is doing for us? Why don’t we give heed to God’s actions? Why don’t we ask for God’s help?

That’s the key to all breakthroughs. If we don’t have time for God in our busy schedules, we do not notice God and what he is doing in our lives. If we don’t seize the day to notice what God is up to, we struggle with the same stuff over and over again. If we don’t ask for God to guide us, we move in circles. But we don’t have to do that.

God is ready to help anytime we ask.
God is ready to open our spiritual eyes to see the divine happenings around us.
God is ready to show us how to lead our lives according to his will.

Noticing God has something to do with seeing the world and life like little children. With wonder and awe. With eagerness and joy. With trust and faith in our heavenly Father.

Gracious God,
Help me to notice what you’re trying to teach me.
Help me to see what you’re doing in this world.
Help me to give heed to your guidance.
Help me to live in awe and wonder.
Help me to ask you to help me.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Do you notice what God is up to in your neighborhood? Is it difficult for you to catch what God is trying to teach you? Would you share what has helped you on the way?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you notice and embrace what God is doing in your life!

* [As you might have noticed, I enjoy reading the Bible in different translations and love comparing them. I have started linking the Bible verses to Biblegateway.com so you can easily read (and compare) them in the different versions I’ve used while preparing each post.]

Image courtesy of Jesus Chico, design Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Faith-filled Fridays, Five Minute Friday.