“Jesus said “My Father is always working, and so am I.” – John 5:17
There is a popular Sunday School song entitled, He’s got the whole world in His hands. The lyrics include: He’s got the whole world in His hands, He’s got the whole wide world in His hands, He’s got the whole world in His hands. We say that God is at work — working mightily, working miraculously, working in mysterious ways — but it’s easy for humans to look around and ask, “God, how exactly are you working? And could you please pick up the pace?”
Jesus’ coming was not in vain. He came to save the lost, and He will save the lost in 2025. He came with the express purpose of rescuing souls from a life and eternity separated from God. He will save many thousands this year. God is active and working, and one thing is for sure: He is not geographically limited. We need to learn to see where God is working in our neck of the woods and join Him in that work. God is not asking us to start the work or figure out where to work. He is already at work and invites us to partner with Him.
Yolande Korkie, author of 558 days in Hell, tells the story of the time she and her husband were taken hostage by Al Qaeda while serving in Yemen. She was later released after eight months, but unfortunately, her husband was killed by Al Qaeda. This led her to encourage those in crisis and equip believers to be the light of Christ in the darkest places. A South Sudanese pastor shared his testimony of how he fled from South Sudan and the hardships of the refugee camps in Uganda. He survived life’s lowest moments and atrocities and continues serving the Lord with great joy in the camps.
God has a heart for every nation and is busy redeeming the nations to Himself. In his book Let the Nations Be Glad, John Piper says, “God is pursuing with omnipotent passion a worldwide purpose of gathering joyful worshippers for himself from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. He has an inexhaustible enthusiasm for the supremacy of his name among the nations.”
God is working in powerful ways worldwide, but he is also working here in this country, in our cities and communities. Driving on 98 or 23 and other streets in Panama City and Panama City Beach will reveal multiple churches with multiple services and full parking lots at every service. God’s presence and influence are felt and manifested in everyday life in the church and our communities. Take a second look if you’re looking for evidence that God is at work. You will find proof that God is active, working, and demonstrating His power to change the world.
Discussion Questions:
- In what ways does the belief in a living and active Jesus shape our daily lives and actions?
- How does the idea of Jesus working in the world challenge us to live differently?
- What practical steps can we take to embody the living presence of Jesus in our communities?