Magic

Each of us has that “it” experience when we know that God is real to us.  For most of us it was early on in our lives but it let us know that there was a God and he heard us.  We had either prayed silent inwardly or verbally outwardly and he gave us a direct and sure response, so that there was no question that he heard our prayer.  Most of the time it was a personal issue that we were in desperate need of and God either provided or made a way out of no way.  You prayed for your parents not to split and they did not and so you believed.  You possibly could have escaped a harrowing experience like being shot at or avoiding being sent to jail or to prison; depending on the severity of the crime.  He may have kept your lights on when you thought that by now all your utilities should have already been shut off for non-payment.  Perhaps someone just sowed financially into you and only you and God knew that you were in need because you had never confided to anyone; but God showed you that he knew even when you thought that you were all alone.  God now had your attention.  What you didn't realize was that you were on the hook and starting your process of being held accountable for what you now know.  Early in your faith walk, every time you prayed it seemed like your prayer was answered quickly.  You were like whoa… this praying thing works like Magic – I pray and then miraculously my prayer gets answered.  After so long and after so many prayers, God wants to know what you have learned about him and are you willing to stand in faith even if he doesn't answer as promptly, as frequently or the way that we would have liked him to.  This is the crux of where many believers lose heart and in doing so; they find themselves losing something more costly – their faith.  There is a reason that God says keep your eyes on him and him only.  You are being walked out onto a plank and you have been walking so long looking at God that you haven’t noticed that you ran out of plank a long time ago; and you are suspended only by his spirit when you walk by faith and not by sight.  Those who have been walking know that it’s not magic at all, but rather good old grace and mercy.  God has been removing every obstacle that will make it impossible for you to say that you don’t know or question that he has been real to you; so now if you choose to not believe, it is a willful choice.  Why is it as long as God is doing what we like or giving us what we want – we believe?  Soon as things grow trying and difficult – Is there a God and does he know what I am going through? Those are our next thoughts.  There is no Magic, no abracadabra, and no tricks of any kind - Only believing and having faith in God regardless of whatever else - Period.