Today is a special day. It’s Thursday, August 18th, 2022. We are enjoying our Master’s program students as we gather in Eugene, Oregon, for a one-week intensive. Dr. Guy Higashi ( ) is our contact if you are interested in joining us in the future. By the way, did you know that God can show up in various disguises? Will you recognize Him? To one woman, He came as a gardener! Read on …
Today's Reading:
Jeremiah 26,35,36; John 20
Scripture
“ Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him and I will take Him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary;’ she turned and said to Him, ‘Rabboni!’ which means ‘Teacher.’” (John 20:13-16)
Observation
Mary didn’t recognize Jesus. She thought He was the gardener! Over the years, I have noticed that God shows up in various disguises, and if we are not expectant and watchful, our eyes will be blind, and He will pass by unrecognized! And worse, when He does show up and taps on our hearts, we won’t acknowledge Him, let alone cooperate with Him.
Application
There have been many times when Jesus showed up in disguise, and I’ve missed Him more times than not. However, if I had spent more time with Him, I would have been able to know His voice, His ways, and His heart.
God showed up as a “Gardener” this past week, but I was too caught up in my own stuff that I missed Him. A person was standing by the side, and I passed by him. As a result, I lost an opportunity to participate in what the Gardener was inviting me to. There was the tap on my heart to visit a shut-in, but I was too busy and now they are with the Lord.
- There’s the disguise of the unlovable — and when we stop to love them, we participate in the Kingdom.
- There’s the disguise of an undesirable task. When we sacrifice for God, it results in increasing joy.
- There’s a disguise of the unimportant and menial … tasks that seem small, but in reality, they make a huge difference in the Kingdom of God.
Prayer
Father, I pray that You would help me recognize You whenever and however You appear. Help me love the unlovable as You would and put my hand to the plow, even in small tasks or undesirable situations. And when I struggle with unbelief, help me to recognize You … even when You show up as a Gardener.
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