Ever wonder what God is doing up there in heaven while you fumble your way through life on earth? You’ve never seen a divinely ignited burning bush, he’s never parted a river for you, and a raging storm has never instantly ceased simply because you prayed.
If you can’t see him, how are you supposed to know God is active in your life today?
To answer that requires a trip to the beginning of time.
Hi, I’m Lauren Thell, author of Christian YA fiction and blogger for teens who are ready to exceed the world’s expectations.
In This Article
In the Beginning…
“God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”
Genesis 1:3
I wasn’t there when this happened, so I’m not exactly sure how it went. But I imagine it was a spectacular sight. Did the light start small, then grow in intensity like a sunrise? Or did it appear in a great explosion of brilliance, the way scientists portray the Big Bang?
God could’ve done it either way, and we won’t know until we get to heaven to ask him about it. (Perhaps he’ll indulge us in an IMAX presentation on exactly how the first six days of time looked. Now that would be a movie worth watching!)
In Genesis 1, there are exactly seven instances of God speaking and things happening.
Let there be light… sky… dry ground… vegetation… stars… birds… livestock.
Bing, bang, boom, and it was so. I like the idea of someone so powerful he can literally speak things into existence if that’s how he wants it done.
But I also like the idea of a Creator who dug in the dirt and got his hands messy creating the one thing he holds most dear: humankind.
An Active Creator
A chapter later, we get a peak at God doing just that:
“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground…”
Genesis 2:7
Imagine God rolling the dirt between his fingers, shaping it like a child might do with playdough. Only this is no blobby playdough creature.
God took a very active and personal approach to creating the first two humans.
One arm, two arms, one hand, two hands…
Fingers, fingernails, fingerprints…
Bones, tendons, muscles, ligaments…
Heart, liver, lungs, two kidneys, lymph nodes, a brain…
And then God gave him mouth-to-mouth and “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”
God didn’t snap his fingers to bring man into existence. This was a very hands-on creation. Despite his methods for bringing zebras, pansies, and crawfish into the world, God took a very active and personal approach to creating the first two humans.
An Active Protector
That’s not how he created us, and that’s not how he is now because God does not change.
I bring up these Bible passages about the beginning of our history because sometimes it’s too easy to view God as a passive observer—to picture him sitting on his throne, arms crossed, watching the world turn. But that’s not how he created us, and that’s not how he is now because God does not change. Even you and I were knitted together in our mother’s wombs (Psalm 139) one strand at a time and not just snapped into existence.
This is the method of a Maker who cares deeply for his favorite creation—us.
God was active in the creation of the world, and he is still active in your life as your redeemer and protector. Remember that in good times and bad.
Bible Verses That Show God At Work in Your Life
He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber. The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
Psalm 120:3,5
In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:6
“My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”
John 5:17
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Philippians 2:13
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20
See How God is Active in Your Life:
You don’t have to have all the answers.
But, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.
If you’re seeking God’s presence in everyday life, check out my post Seeking Jesus: How to Get Closer to God Right Now. To get a glimpse of his quiet but active presence, read Seek the Lord And He Will Be Found By You.
Having trouble hearing God whisper in your ear? Maybe it’s time to Turn Down the Volume to Hear God’s Voice!